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T II K 



WORLD'S FIFTH EMPIRE, 



AND OTHEK POEMS: 



BY 



JAMES WM. BOWLES. 



The -world is full of poetry — the air 

Is liviog with its spirit; and the waves 

Dance to the music of its melodies, 

And sparkle in its brightness. Eartir is veiled 

And mantled with its beauty— 

Perciral. 




LOUISVILLE, KY. 
jOHiNr F. nytoRTON & c. 

(LATK MORTON & GRISWOT.T),) 

1 8 G . 






.TonN p. MORTON & CO., PRINTEES, LOUISVILLE. 



NOBLE BUTLEK— 

A MAN EMINENT FOR ATX THOSE QUALITIES WHICH 

MOST HIGHLY ADORN 

T[IE SCHOLAR, CRITIC. PRECEPTOR, AND 

^hxB bolxmxc is respcttfulb bcbitutcb, 

BY HIS FRIEND, 



PREFACE. 

IIis first publication the author now oflTers the reading world, hoping 
tliat it will look leniently upon the faults and imperfections but too 
evident to his own eye. 

But whatever may be adjudged as to tlie merits of the poetical com- 
position, the most fastidious cannot but accord commendation for the 
admirable manner in which the publishers — Messrs. Morton & Co., 
late Morton & Griswold — have pei-formed their portion of the work. 
The paper is of the most excellent quality ; the tj-pography clear and 
beautiful, and the binding handsome and substantial. The whole 
execution is a powerful argument for home patronage. 

The Poems presented are the productions of one who has written in 
his leisure hours, at various periods during the last four or five years. 

He will here remark — and that explanatoi'ily — but upon two of 
these, — 

Firstly : " Dar-thula." This is the versification, without the omission 
or interpolation of any sentiments, of a translation — by James Mac- 
pherson, Esq., — of one of Ossian's poems, from the old Gaelic. The 
author fears that the rhymic drapery he has thrown around may have 
somewhat concealed the strength of the features of the original ; but 
thinks that some, perhaps, may here read this beautiful piece of com- 



r I? E F A C R 



L 

1 



position who otherwise might never see it, and that others may prefer 
the versified rendering to the simple prose in which the translator has 
offered it to the public. 

And secondly : the " Last Victim of the Deluge." To a magnificent 
painting by James H. Beard, Esq. of Cincinnati, the author is indebted 
for the title of this poem, and the principal idea upon which it is founded 
— that of the last survivor of the flood, a strong man — the personifica- 
tion of resolute and imjienitent despair — sitting alone upon a rock — 
the only eminence above the raging seas, while all around is seen, 
" water, water everywhere." — All the other scenes and incidents oc- 
curring in the poem the author has drawn from a picture of the 
imagination. 

Appreciating the salutary precept conveyed in the following flota- 
tion from "a quaint old commentator" who wrote neai'ly three hun- 
dred years ago, — "It hath beene the custome of many men to make 
their introductions to their bookes like to some Grecian Cities' gates — 
so ample that (as the Prouerbe ranne,) their Citie was ready to steale 
thorow the same ; " — the author being, simply, stage-manager, and not 
one of the dramatis peisonoe, from the view of the spectators, Avill 
now withdraw himself behind hispaper scenes. 

IT^rnon, Jefferson (Counts, iig., iKag, ISPO. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGn. 

The World's Fifth Empire, (in six cantos) 9 

My Mother Ill' 

The Harp of a Thousand Strings 118 

To MY Niece 121 

Dar-thula 126 

A Prayer for Mary 152 

The Ocean Grave 154 

Ode to Henry W. Longfellow, Esq 158 

Olden Memories 161 

To Wm. C. Bryant, Esq 1G6 

The Rose 168 

To the New-York Observer 176 

Teedie and the Humming-Bird 178 

The Vision 182 

To Miss E. P 189 

The Last Victim of the Deluge 191 

To C. AND 219 

To Mrs. S. A. Worthington of Cincinnati, O. . . 221 

The Halls of Memory 226 

The Captives of Babylon 230 



VIU CONTENTS. 

Ode to W. D. Gallagher 233 

The White Angel 235 

To Mus. C. S 241 

Ode to Geo. D. Prentice, Esq 244 

Omnibus est Mori 250 

Ode to N. P. Willis, Esq 260 

To Mrs. A. C 262 

To Mrs. T. E 264 

To Miss C. W 267 

The Star of Destiny 269 

Ode to Alfred Tennyson, Esq 280 

THE POETICAL SALMAGUNDI. 

Pluck now the Flower 285 

A Translation from Horace 287 

To PoLLiE Ann Jelica(ke) 289 

Biddy and Pat 291 

PossuNT QUIA Posse Videntur 293 

To Miss Mercy Elizabeth Samuelina Snagwallader 295 

" ^iosoj Tcuw Kr£avu)'> " 296 

An Example of Alliteration 298 

A College Song 299 

An Albumic 302 

Old Cannibal Vi . 306 

Valediction 309 



THE WOELD'S FIFTH EMPIRE. 



CANTO FIRST 



Far o'ei' yon azure maiu thy view extend, 

Where seas and skies in blue confusion blend : 

Lo ! there a mighty realm, by Heaven designed. 

The last retreat for poor, oppressed mankind ; 

Formed with that pomp which marks the Hand divine, 

And clothes yon vault, whei-e worlds unnumbered shine. 

Here spacious plains in solemn grandeur spread ; 

Here cloudy forests cast eternal shade ; 

Rich valleys wind the sky-tall mountains brave. 

And inland seas for commerce spread the wave. 

With nobler floods the sea-like rivers roll, 

And fairer luster purples round the pole. 

Timothy Dwigut. 

Three hundred years have flown upon time's flighty wing, 
With all the woes and joys which changes ever bring; 
Thi-ee hundred years have passed, have swiftly glided by, 
Fleet as the lightning's flash which gilds the summer sky, 
Since hidden lay a world — a mighty world unknown 
Till Science headlong hurled old Error from his throne! 

2 



10 THE WORLD'S 

For many liundred years this land Iiad been obscured 

By Ocean's misty breath — in darkness deep immured. 

Here millions of acres rich, uncultivated, wild, 

Gave evidence that Eve and Adam, when beguiled 

By the old Serpent's words, had sent through e'en this clime 

That curse which since has walked e'er hand in hand with Time. 

Here " thorns also and thistles," a bristling legion reared 

Tlieir spear-crowned heads in rank, as if they nothing feared ; 

Quick springing from the ground, as wild and fierce as e'en 

The men, who rising up armed warriors bold were seen, 

Transformed from dragon teeth, which Cadmus had sown there. 

Whilst following the advice of kind Minerva fair. 

Kank weeds and noxious vines tried by embrace to blind 

The beaming, sparkling eye of Nature dear and kind; 

O'er this great continent increasing fast were they, 

Striving to bring it under their extensive sway. 

But even here sweet Hope, still loving man and earth, 

" On light fantastic toe," would trip along in mirth ; 

And every smile which fell from her bright, sunlit face 

Became a gladspme flower the prospect wild to grace. 



FIB^TH EMPIRE. 11 

— But Hope! how came she here — -kind Hope, immortal, dear"? 

Ah ! her's a pilgrimage, long, wearisome, and drear. 

When our first parents sinned, and from their Eden bright, 

Their " solitai'y way" they took, "in lowliest plight," 

As " high in front advanced the brandished sword of God," 

Which Vengeance bore along, as quick and firm he trod, 

Down, down the hill they fled " to the subjected plain," 

And casting back their eyes toward Paradise, in vain ; 

Terrific, awful sight ! a fierce and flaming brand 

Is waved o'er Eden's gate by cherub's mighty hand. 

Fatigued and frightened they despairing now sink down — 

The heavens grow fiercely black, then darkly on them frown. 

Now paralyzed with fear, low on the ground they lie ; 

But Eve sees, gazing up, a bright spark in the sky — 

" Oh, Adam, do behold that small but burning light. 

There struggling through the gloom of this sad, woeful night, 

And cleaving the rent clouds — a fiaming meteor swift." 

Then Adam sees it too, as his head he doth uplift. 

I5ut nearer, nearer, nearer, this light approaches them, 

And glowing, sparkling, brighter than any earthly gem. 



12 THE WORLD'S 

Then Adam wondering speaks to his fair, lovely Eve ; 

"It is an angel, dear; my eye doth not deceive." 

Then coming nearer earth, it graceful circles round, 

And gently as a dove, alights upon the ground. 

Its snowy pinions soft, touched here and there with gold, 

Approaching them with grace, now slowly doth it fold. 

And kindly greeting them, thus speaks the creature fair: 

"My Brother, Sister, dear, awake from grief's despair; 

I am an angel sent from high Heaven down to cheer. — 

My name is Hope ; but trust, I always shall be near, [pleasure ; 

You both have sinned, you know, and roused God's just dis- 

But still he did not give you stern reproof's full measure. 

Down stiff, and cold, and dead, He might have stricken you ; 

But this my sister Mercy prayed that He would not do. 

The broad land lies before, go whither now you list; 

But e'er in virtue's path I beg you to persist, 

That thus somewhat you may atone for your great sin ; 

And Eden to regain, to strive this day begin ; 

For you have forfeited your loved and beauteous home, 

And through this wild, strange earth, God dooms you now to roam. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 13 

But when affliction throws its shadoAV on your heart, 
To comfort and beguile will ever be my part. 
And though I e'er will love you and your children, know, 
That up to Heaven again I may be forced to go ; 
I may be driven off, I may be grieved away ; 
But in behalf of you and them I sure will stay, 
AVhile there yet seems to me to be, in reason, chance, 
From now till end of time, that mankind may advance, 
Though slowly, e'en, and reach, at last, that high degree 
Of love to God and man, Avhich thus will make all free — 
Free from ti'ansgression, sin ; free from the Tempter's snare ; 
Free from sad misery here, and Hell's eternal glare ; — 
Which back will bring the world to favor and the love. 
That once was given it by God who dwells above." 

From that day until this, with men had Hope dwelt here. 
To gild their clouds of gloom — with Avord and smile to cheer. 
She ne'er had left the earth, though true it is that oft 
She had been nearly forced to wend her way aloft. 



14 THE WORLD'S 

When sea rolled high on sea, in grandeur dark and Avild, 
As high as Pelion great upon old Ossa piled, 
And buried was the world in watery grave profound, 
And hid from human eye was every spot of ground ; 
Hope hovered o'er the ark, and beams of light forth sent, 
Which like the burnished lance the gloomy darkness rent. 
And after this she roved the rough, wide world all o'er, 
Living among those men whose condition she thought bore 
The most resemblance to man's first estate, which he 
Had lost by taking fruit from the forbidden tree. 

In old Jerusalem, in Babylon the grand. 
In Greece, and far-famed Rome, had lived Hope sweet and bland ; 
And down in later times in Britain had she stayed. 
And that mankind might be free, disenthralled, had prayed. 
But after dwelling there for many centuries long, 
And seeing still to thrive oppression, sin, and wrong, 
Unfolded she her wings torn, storm-beat, and weary. 
And not contented yet, fled far the prospect dreary. 
She crossed the ocean vast another land to find, 
Which would encourage more her heart still unresigned; 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 15 

For even Hope may pine, lament, and grieve, and sigh, 
And much dispirited, long heavenward to fly. 

She landed on a shore to her unknown and strange ; 
And o'er this new-found land she took her silent range. 
She saw a people wild — a good land left to waste ; 
And then she hoped and prayed that God the day would haste, 
Wlie'n in this country fine, a better, nobler race 
Than yet the earth had seen. He should think fit to place; 
Or else, though loving still, she could no more here roam, 
But sick and weary then would seek her heavenly home. 
As only Hope can hope had always lioped Hope dear, 
And now buoyed by this thought, she wiped her crystal tear. 
And radiant grew her eye, as she resolved to be 
Yet patient, and await the glorious day to see. 

And thus it was, sweet Hope, still loving man and earth, 
On " light fantastic toe," would trip along in mirth ; 
And every smile which fell from her bright sun-lit face 
Became a gladsome flower the prospect wild to grace. 



16 THE WORLD'S 

And mighty forests too, thougli beautiful and grand, 
Yclad with darksome shade half this neglected land, 
Which skillful husbandmen could fence, and clear, and till. 
Soon making like the rose bloom every plain and hill ; 
While in the crowded Old World, thousands cried for bread, 
Their herbage Avithering all before gaunt Famine's tread, 
Great rivers wide and lakes their lengthy course would trace, 
Divided only by the feathered or finny race. 
Or by the rough canoe in which the savage fierce. 
Would ply about for pleasure, or else the fish to pierce. 
Here " Oniagara" rolled with thunders most profound. 
And shook in its mod leap the rocks and earth ai'ound. 

And were these solitudes, these plains and forests vast, 
To be awakened ne'er save by the tempest's blast ? 
The pioneer's keen ax here never made to ring, 
AVhere rung the savage yell, or howl of some wild thing? 
Upon tlie throbbing bosom of river or of lake. 
Would no majestic steamers their noble course here take? 
And would no white man e'er cross o'er the heaving ocean. 
And view that cataract, and feel that deep emotion — 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 17 

That wonder, and that awe — that reverence most sublime, 
Inspired by the music of Nature's grandest chime? 

Oh ! Skeptic, wouldst thou say no wisdom had been shown 
By God in making this vast continent the throne 
Of barbarism fierce — in giving it to those 
Wild tribes who nothing did but hunt and war witli foes? 
Vain, silly worm ! " God moves in a mysterious way 
His wonders to perform" — wide, universal sway 
Belongs to him, " he plants his foot-steps in the sea ; " 
The wild winds now are mute, the waves drop quietly. 

The time has almost come when tliis great hemisphei'e, 
Arousing from her sleep, the strenuous calls shall hear 
Of Freedom, and Religion, of Science, and of Art— 
Whose teachings harden mind, but soften e'er the heart. 

The Old World groans beneath the chains of tyranny, 
Which strive to hold and crush desire to be free — 
That feeling which exists and bui'ns in every breast, 
Extinguishable ne'er, nor thus to be suppressed! 



18 THE FIFTH EMPIRE. 

Religion's hands are tied — disgrace she there receives — 
The Bible disregarded — defiled its very leaves. 
Want, Hunger, Pestilence, stalk naked through the lanes, 
And o'er these hapless lands old Anarchy mad reigns. 

Jehovah soon will plant his foot on ocean wild, 
And make it lie at rest and sleep as gentle child, — 
The barrier be removed which long has lain between 
The New World and the Old ; — His wisdom thus be seen. 



THE WORLD'S FIFTH EMPIRE. 



CANTO SECOND, 



The boy is father of the mau. 

WOEDSWOETH. 

Veuieut auuis 
Secula seris, quibus Oceauus 
Viucula rerum laxet, et iugeus 
Pateat tellus, Typhisque novos 
Detegat Oi-bes, uec sit terris 

Ultima Thule. 

Seneca : Medea. 

On the Genoan shore there stands a bright young boy, 
Who notes with eager eye a light and tiny toy — 
A little boat, which he has unassisted made, 
And launched upon the gulf, in sails and flags arrayed ; 
And heedless of the clouds which gather dark around, 
He gazes on his ship to port far distant bound. 
The lightning flashing bright, the thunder threatening loud, 
He thinks can never hurt his little vessel proud ! 



20 THE WORLD'S 

His heart throbs quick with joy — he claps his hands in glee, 

As he sees her riding safe over the stormy sea. 

And then a happy sailor he thinks he'll be some day, 

And jump upon his ship and sail far, far away 

To visit foreign lands, and see the whole, wide M^orld; — 

With cherished thoughts like these his ardent brain is whirled. 

The sapling's a small tree— a tree, the sapling large ; 
For like produces like, true Nature 's to her charge. 
And boys are little men, and men but full-grown boys; 
And as the child, the youth, his thoughts and time employs, — 
Though there exceptions be — when he arrives at age, 
Ideas and things like these his manhood will engage. 
Napoleon, when a youth, the soldier loved to play — • 
To lead a gallant band of his companions gay. 
With onset fierce against the little fort of snow. 
His future life and deeds like disposition show. 

And Hannibal, a child, when his father left for Spain, 
Implored that he might go among the Avarlike train. 



P FIFTH EMPIRE. 21 

But this request refused, ILuiiilcar led him now 
Up to an altar near, and made his son here vow. 
When he became a man, to fight the Romans bold ; 
"Which afterward he did, until worn-out and old. 

r And little Samuel too, who to his God was lent 
By faithful Hannah good, and to old Eli sent, 
Was taught by him to fear and love the Lord of all — 
To minister to him, and mind Eeligion's call. 
And after this fair child to man's estate had grown, 
As faithful, zealous priest, and prophet was he known. 

And nearer to our times, in our old mother-land, 
Thei-e lived a youth, who oft would leave his comrade-band, 
And draw with pencil skilled some plan he had designed. 
Or make some small machine — by Nature thus inclined. 
And when that giant mind had once become matured. 
He lifted mystery's veil from things which it obscured; 
And by an apple's fall he made the demonstration, 
Unto the human race, of law of gravitation. 



22 THE WORLD'S 

And by "Principia," and other works 'twas shown, 
That he was the greatest philosopher e'er known. 

And little George, the youth, Avas truthful, kind, and bold, 
And Washington, the man — but it need not be told. 
His Roman mother true, wlicn news to her was sent, 
That her loved son had been elected President, 
Exhibiting no signs of great surprise or joy, 
Replied, " George always was a good, obedient boy I " 
Examples we might give, thus, ad infinitum, 
Showing how often youth similar men become. 
But to cite more than these would be but time ill spent; 
For well 'tis known the tree grows as the shoot is bent. 

AYe left a little boy, on an Italian shore, 
Watchino; his gallant craft as through the waves it tore; 
And Avishing he Avas then a man, full-grown and strong, 
And o'er the billoAvs Avild Avas sailing swift along. 

The youth became a man ; Columbus Avas his name — 
A name now Avritten high on the Pillar tall of Fame ! 



" FIFTH EMPIRE. 23 

Hail Christopher Columbus ! — Priests, poets, scholars, sages, 
That great name still shall praise through long and future ages. 
No grand ancestral line through centuries did he trace, 
As far as title goes he held an humble place ; 
Though after glory's wreath had fallen on his brow, 

• There were noble families who well could prove and vow 
That blood akin to that which gushed from his great heart, 
As wild and free as streams which from the steep hills start. 
Flowed through their princely veins — an honor which he ne'er 
Did covet; for his was nobility more dear — 
Nobility of heart, of character, of mind : 
In what long pedigree still greater could he find ? 

\His father, for a trade, combed Avool, as we ai'e told ; 
But such work did not suit the young son's spirit bold. 
For Providence designed him for a nobler end. 
And o'er the ocean vast 'twas fated he should wend 
His way some day, and there should find a " Golden Fleece" 
Possession of which would man's happiness increase ; 
Though far more difficult it was to be obtained — 
Still much more valuable when it had been gained — 



24 THE WORLD'S 

Than that wliich Jason famed, the brave young Argonaut, 
O'er waters and through lands in toils and perils sought. 
His father being a man of judgment and of sense, 
Perceiving the boy's love for sea was so intense, 
Determined to afford him every chance he could. 
That talent to develop, which well he understood. 
A.nd as it was resolved that he should go to sea, 
He studied branches which most useful there would be. 

When fourteen years of age — as chroniclers relate — 
Led on by hand of strong, and strange, mysterious Fate, 
His nautical career under the care of one 
Columbo, a relative, though distant, he begun. 
Of him for several years but little we are told; 
But still it is enough to know that he was bold — 
That he possessed a soul as wild, as strong, as free, 
As e'en the billows grand which he so loved to see. 

It is a cloudy morn — armed vessels he in wait. 
Near Portugal^'s green coast, as unsuspecting, straight, 



9 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 25 



On their fast, onward conrse, Venetian galleys four, 

Sail o'er old Ocean's breast, all filled with golden store. 

Then from their covert dark quick dart these vessels strong : — 

Bellona fierce and Mars here hover all day long; 

And -when the curtains black of night now fall ai'ound, 

^till closely grappled there, the two chief ships are found. 
But Vulcan weary of the war protracted so. 
Comes near, his bright red robe of fire o'er both to throw; 
Which blazing Avildly wraps in its extended folds 
These tAvo fine, gallant ships, and soon dominion holds. 
And now into the sea the flying flame fast drives 
The frightened, trembling crews, much fearing for their lives. 

'S^nd those who just then strove all human life to take. 
Strive human life to save, as through the waves they break. 
Alas ! unhappy fate — sure it is hard enough, 
In a strong ship in storm to brave the billows rough ; 
But thus to be there tossed by breakers rolling 'round, 
With not a plank between a man and grave profound — 
Yet still they struggle on, for life is dear to all. 
And beat with sturdy arm the high-piled prison wall. 

f 



26 THE WORLD'S 

But Ocean, long disturbed and kept from his repose 
By these stern combatants, more mad and violent grows, 
Till opening his huge jaws, all foaming white with rage, 
He swallows one by one, heedless of size or age ; 
Like Polyphemus famed — that giant Cyclops fierce — 
Whose adamantine heart no human cry could pierce. 
Devouring one by one shrewd Ulysses' poor band. 
When driven by misfortune on the Cicilian strand. 

But one still strong of heart, with arm of iron nerve. 
Beats back the waves, and does not from his course yet swerve. 
Yet six or eight miles long lie 'tween him and the shore ; 
High billows 'round him roll, wild winds above him roar. 
At times it seems that he must find a watery grave; 
When that strong arm grows weak what power then can save ? 
But He who measures seas in the hollow of his hand, 
And marks the sparrow's fall, brings him at last to land. 

But who this hero bold, miraculously brought 
To shore, when Ocean's caves with friends and foes ai*e fraught ? 



^ FIFTH EMPIRE. 27 

He must be destined foi* some grander end in life, 
Than murdering fellow-men, and making war and strife. 
Yes, who this hero bold ? Columbus is his name — 
A name now written high on the Pillar tall of Fame. 

y We turn our eyes to Spain. Now Night her sable wings 
Has spread o'er hill and vale, and o'er all living things, 
Whose darksome shadows tell that it is time to rest, 
While Sol wraps in his clouds, and sinks down in the west. 
But still there plods along, o'er Andalusia's plain, 
A stranger, with a boy, on foot, who seeks to gain 
A town not distant far. His is an humble guise ; 
But garments such as these have often clad the wise. 
■^Dft does an honest heart beat 'neath a pile of rags, 
While villain wears broadcloth, and of his station brags. 

Though tired and weary much, he still appears to bear 
No lowly, common mien, but high, distinguished air. 
In his capacious brain revolves a mighty scheme. 
The impulse of whose rush, as on it whirls, would seem 



28 THE WORLD'S 

To clash the gushing blood each swelling vein along, 
As giant mill-wheel throws, with revolution strong, 
Through channel worn and torn, the waters wont to spread, 
And leap as if they wished to leave their natural bed. 

There is another world — and this thought fills his mind — 
There is another Avorld, which he has yet to find. 
But Fortune has not poured into his lap her gold. 
By means of which he may perform that project bold. 
In his own native land he help in vain has sought; 
To Portugal's young king his humble plea's next brought ; 
But John refuses too that sparkling western gem, 
Which might glow like a star, in his bright diadem. 
And now his brother has to Albion great been sent. 
To know if site would liave the jewel he'd present. 

They reach a convent now; the strange man taps the door. 
And for his boy requests of food a little store. 
The Prior good comes by while they are standing there. 
And struck by his appearance, and knowing from his air 



^ FIFTH EMPIRE. 29 

And accent, that the man is from a foreign land, 
Addresses him some words, in manner free and bhmd. 
He learns his name and tale, and bids him there to rest ; 
And at La Eabida he makes him thus his guest. 
Here is the turning-point in our great hero's life. 
fFor ridiculed and scorned, with disappointment rife, 
He has determined now to leave Hispania old. 
And thence to England go, whose king he has been told, 
Has some attention paid to his grand plans and schemes. 
His star of hope still shines, still throws on him its beams. 
And thus his stopping here is made immediate cause — 
For Fortune has a code of arbitrary laws, 
tWhich she can make to suit each individual case; 
And oft to place and time, a man for deeds may trace 
Both being and origin ; and from small cii'cumstance, 
Some great event may find, as oft it seems, from chance. 
A dead and rotten tree, prostrated on the ground, 
May turn aside some stream, to distant ocean bound. 
From its own usual course, and making it pour o'er 
Tall cliff, in time pi'oduce a cataract with roar. 



30 THE WOELD'S 

And thunder loud and wild, and beauty, grandeur, all, 

Of great Niagara, in its mad leap and fall! 

And so in the tide of man's affairs some trifling thing. 

As primary cause, a great and grand result may bring 

By turning its first channel, and making it to flow — 

Though passive there it lies — where, else, it ne'er would go. 

But as Ave said before, his stopping here is made, 

Thus the immediate cause — though still sometime delayed — > 

Of his discovery of the New World great and vast — 

A brilliant, glowing page, in Time's long history past. 

Juan Perez, the prior, Avhen made to understand. 

That hence his guest will seek help in some other land. 

And that thus glory's wreath may grace some other brow. 

Than his Hispania's dear, quick for a friend sends now — 

Named Garcia Fernandez, a scientific man, , 

Who comes and listens well, and soon approves the plan. 

And several times they meet, at this old convent, then ; 

And with these Avise savans, a few sea-faring men, 

Who great attention give to his gigantic scheme. 

And of its prosecution they now in favor seem. 



1^ FIFTH EMPIRE. 31 

In high regard the prior by Isabella great 
Is held ; persuading now Columbus here to wait, 
He writes a letter in behalf of him, his guest ; 
And there, in earnest tones, he pleads that the request 
For help she now may grant, for her own royal crown, 
jfRer country's interest too, and glory, and renown. 
Our hero had at first, with great regret, resolved 
To leave Hispania old ; but in debt much involved, 
He had concluded then to seek in other land 
Means for the accomplishment of his dear project grand. 
So, thus besought, he stays, and long time has this home. 
Unwilling, vexed, and crossed, through other lands to roam. 
While there seems any chance for him to ever find 
Assistance to perform the thought of his strong mind. 
Sustained by promises, for years he's made to wait ; 
And from a stand-point high — his elevation great. 
Of intellect and soul — he views the golden prize — 
This longed-for, promised land, spread out before his eyes. 
As hand of Faith aside draws Ocean's misty veil. 
Obscuring others' sight by its long, heavy trail — 



3-2 THE WORLD'S 

But fearing e'er that lie, like to old Moses good, 
Who led by God himself, upon Mount Pisgah stood, 
And viewed rich Canaan broad — would never be allowed 
To place his foot thereon, and walk triumphant, proud. 

But still the longest night at last flees from the sun ; 
All things have had an end, or must have, once begun ; 
No path such length can have, that there's no terminus ; 
E'en earth shall end, witli all its woes, and strife, and fuss. 
Now Isabella good, and Ferdinand her lord, 
"When the stern Moorish kings, by blood, and fire, and sword. 
Have thus been driven out of their Alhambr.i grand, 
Retreating slow before their firm, brave Christian band — 
AVhen in the changing heavens the crescent bright had waned, 
And faded from the place which it had there maintained 
For eight long centuries, now superseded by 
The cross, which throws its length from zenith of the sky 
To the horizon down — the Christian's beacon-light. 
Marking the dawn of day, where all before Avas night; — 
Yes, now the sovereigns pay attention to his plea; 
And after some delay and thought they then agree 



Flt^TH EMPIRE. 83 

To give the aid required ; though true it is, not till 
Columbus left the court, determined that he still 
Would not be subject to procrastination and 
Such wavering promises; but to another land^- 
France — now would go, and try for better fortune there. 
'Tis only then that they would promise to prepare, 
As soon as possible, the expedition which 
Was destined soon to find a new world vast and rich. 

Upon the trackless sea three vessels frail are tossed. 
Like weary, sea-worn birds which far their course have lost. 
The crews disheartened seem, save one undaunted soul. 
Who there majestic stands, as billows round him roll ! 
For many, many weeks those ships have sailed the deep. 
Where nothing else, before, save wild winds, had full sweep. 
But superstitious fears, and terrors great now hold 
The sailors' minds and hearts; and e'en one captain bold, 
Losing his confidence, himself, would too persuade 
The Admiral to turn back, ere chance of life should fade; 
While many of his crew him overboard would throw. 
If they but durst, and then would homeward turn and go, 

4 



34 THE WORLD'S 

The crisis-hour has come ; — ^did so much e'er depend 
Upon one single mind? — will it 'neath such weight bend? 
What Dionysius' sword, o'er Damocles' head hung, 
While at a banquet rich, by one hair, naked strung, 
When it's compared to that responsibility, 
Impending, tlireatening thus to crush him to the sea ! 

Hope, on her snowy wing, mounts high into the air, 
And hovers there, almost in absolute despair. 
And long she watches these white wavering barks which seem 
Near land, then farther off, like phantoms in a dream! 
She only hesitates until the die is cast, 
And if, unfavorably, her life on earth is past; 
For high above the Avorld, the gates of Heaven are ope, 
And sister-spirits call, to them, the angel Hope! 

Upon Britannia's shore Eeligion bends her knee, 
Her white robes flowing 'round, like snow-drifts, light and free. 
But spotted here and there, by foul pollution's touch, 
Their maiden purity, alas ! thus lessened much. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 35 

Her eye as deep and blue as sea she seems to raise, 
And clasps her hands in prayer, as lip her heart obeys. 

And Liberty, e'en noio in stars and stripes arrayed. 
As if to typify the dress which would be made, 
And given her, fore'er, by freemen great and true, — 
Her hands by tyrants chained, the worst that they can do — 
Walks sadly up and down old Europe's western shore, 
While wistful eye she casts the throbbing sea all o'er. 
For well " the mountain nymph" knows, if she cannot found 
An empire in the west, she will thus e'er be bound. 

And even, "there is silence in Heaven about the space 
Of half an hour," but Time does not with finger trace 
His hours on crystal dial, as here he e'er has done. 
For there eternity has scarcely yet begun; 
And to Jehovah, Lord, one day 's a thousand years, 
And e'en a century long but one short day appears. 
The bright, celestial beings gaze down upon the sea, 
So anxious all, save God, not knowing what will be; 



36 THE WORLD'S 

For deep in depths of his "unfathomable mines 

Of never failing skill," he hides his "bright designs." 

The angel who records — 'c'er ready thus to heed, 
When benefactors of our race some glorious deed, 
Some noble act perform — 'Stands there with open book, 
And golden pen in hand, while oft his eye doth look 
To see what he shall write, the moment it is done, 
Ere one more grain of sand from man's hour-glass may run. 

Upon the trackless deep three vessels frail are tossed 
Like weary, sea-worn birds which far their course have lost ; 
Their crews disheartened seem, save one undaunted soul, 
Who there majestic stands, as billows round him roll! 
Hai'k! "Land ahead! land ho!" the watchman loudly cries; 
All eager catch his words and strain their longing eyes. 
The mystery great is solved, his theory great is true. 
To Lord of lands and seas a cross appears in view ; 
They dedicate a world to Him who brought them o'er, 
And caused them here to land upon this golden shore. 



' FIFTH EMPIRE. 37 

The world 's a mighty stage, and all men actors there, — 
'Tis said — the rich, the poor, the old, the young, the fair. 
Some few conspicuous stand, but most the background hold ; 
Not all these low and mean, not all those great and bold. 
But how oft, when a man has glory's fair wreath won, 
And Conscience whispers soft, in such one's ear, "Well done, 
Thou good and faithful servant," and great and prominent 
He stands, with this reward now happy and content, 
That those whose thoughts and instincts fit them for menial place, 
By arts, deceit, and craft, will try such to debase. 
By dragging him back from his proud position high, 
And striving hard to make him in their lowness lie ! 

In this our drama now, again the scenes we shift, 
And curtains of the past, on this new act we lift. 
' Tis in a southern clime, and in a beauteous isle, — 
Though winter. Nature here seems mildly yet to smile — 
One of a cluster green, which glows 'neath tropic light, 
On Ocean's throbbing breast— a string of emeralds bright. 



38 THE WORLD'S 

Now San Domingo's streets seem all alive in motion, 
Solemn, sublime, and deep, as that of grand old Ocean! 
A long procession slow — a funeral march is seen; 
Oh! who has left earth's stage — some mighty king or queen? 
' Midst ceremony great, and pomp, and show, parade, 
' Midst banners wrapped in crape, a coffin is conveyed 
Down to a ship in port, while friars their low chants sing. 
And with artillery's boom the air is made to ring. 

Ah ! could those bones, that dust, borne there by persons great, 
Of various orders all, composing church and state, 
Again rise into life, — as once arose at Nain 
The widow's only son, addressing all his train — 
What words would those around, who honored him, now hear, 
As resurrected he would speak from his black bier? 
"Ah ! commentary strange upon this human life. 
With its neglect, and shame, and pride, and pomp, and strife. 
Three hundred years ago, here I was thrown in chains, 
In stern corporeal woes, in cruel mental pains, 
By one who claimed that he had his commission got, 
From Ferdinand, my king — ah! black, eternal spot 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 39 

Upon Ms charactei'; for though, when I had come 

Unto his court, he vowed that it was done by some 

Unwarrantable power which he ne'er meant to give, 

Still long and many years, in his sight did I live. 

And dispossessed of all which I aforetime held. 

Till all my brilliant hopes, like bubbles, were dispelled, 

Tliought he, my rising sun of fame with its bright blaze 

Would soon eclipse, fore'er, his diadem's bright rays? 

I, who had broken down those barriers strong between 

The two great hemispheres, and also first land seen ; — 

Yes, I, who thus had found such lands as these, and then 

Had added them unto the Spanish realm, by men 

Was superseded thus, and thought not fit as they 

To hold, in my king's name, o'er one square foot the sway ! 

By men, who grasped for power, and tried to take from me, 

What they could never win, through all eternity. 

Was this then my reward? — was I thus to be hurled, 

In dark oblivion's grave, because I found a world ? 

"Ah! thou mean Selfishness! man's little household god, 
At whose well-understood, exacting, frequent nod, 



40 THE WORLD'S 

He bends his abject knee; — an idol for whose stand 

He has cai'ved out a block from heart of stone hard, and 

Exalting which he notes its jealous, doivncast eye 

Which can see none, save those who at its feet slaves lie. 

And then in niches 'round this god he oft will place 

Figures of Envy and Ingratitude most base, 

And Malice too, and Hate, all watchful e'er to see — 

As body-guard — safe his supreme divinity ! 

Unfortunate the man whose flitting shadow e'er 

May fall 'tween him and these jpenates loved and dear! 

"Why e'en another's name is given to the realm 
Toward which I first did turn my bold, unswerving helm ; 
And but for poets ne'er would the strange uncommon word, 
'Columbia' — and then but to half applied — be heard! 
But true it seems that you would reverence now my name, 
Would honor too my bones, acknowledging my fame ; 
Yet still take heed lest there should be some, too, 'mong you, 
To whom you do not give the honor that is due. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 41 

"You take my bones and dust to old Havana, where 
They will be placed with pomp, parade, and show, and care ; 
But needless then to raise for me a pillar high, 
By which you may exalt my name unto the sky ; 
For I've, like Horace old, built my own monument 
"Which through the ages long my fame shall there present ; 
And neither floods, nor winds, nor gnawing tooth of Time, 
Shall ever there erase that name and fame sublime ! 

" I leave the world again, and that without regret, 
For why wish here to live, and suffer, toil and fret, 
Where PseudO'Merit sits supreme upon the throne. 
From which true Worth has been thus, vi et armis, torn? 
Go study well my fate— -remember what I tell; 
But now I leave this life, and bid you all farewell ! " 

HoAV true ! and was it not a commentary strange 
Upon this human life, with all its fleeting change ? 
That body which had been, three hundred years before, 
Borne from that very port, bending, and suffering sore 



42 ' THE WORLD'S 

'Neath ignominious irons, and stern Misfortune's frown, 
With honors such as these, to-day, is loaded down ! 
And true, another's name was given to the world, 
In which the Spanish flag Cohnnbus first unfurled ; 
The bearer of which name, it's been asserted long. 
Most probably ne'er made the voyage on which strong 
Claims he himself had laid unto this honor great. 
And too successfully — oh ! strange caprice of Fate! 
E'en if our hero was not first to see main-land, 
It matters little quite, for his own project grand 
Had been performed in spite of opposition all ; 
His theory great was proved ; the strong old Chinese wail. 
Between two worlds, had been thus broken down, and then 
The breach which he had made was entered but by men, 
Who following in his track, and stealing his great fame. 
Might take it, each to gild and polish his own name. 

But be it told, for true, a century long before 
The good, old ship, May-flower, touched this bright western shore, 
The name was given it, and names like habits old. 
And ancient customs too, cannot e'er be controlled, 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 43 

And changed at pleasure, e'en when they should be, of right ; 
In long habitual use there is such power and might. 
But though anotlier's name was given to the whole, 
(Although his chariot wheels did not first reach the goal, 
If e'er they reached at all, but only — for we may 
Afford to grant this so — just following in the way 
Marked plainly out for him, went farther on than those 
Of his competitor's whose claims he did oppose,) 
Yet still a score of parts of this great hemisphere 
Is called by name of him, who really first stood here, — 
A name the good, the great, the just, the learned, the wise 
Of all enlightened lands beneath the azure skies, 
Unite to honor now. 

How true, no prophet is 
Without renown and fame in any land save his : 
And oh ! how oft it is men fail to recognise 
Real merit shining plain before their very eyes ! 
And mankind, scarcely e'er, seem to appreciate 
Goodness and greatness of the truly good and great, 
In times in which they hve; — and not till future ages. 
Often, are they adjudged, heroes, and saints, and sages. 



44 THE FIFTH EMPIEE. 

But struggle nobly on, thou benefactor of 
Thy fellow-man, and feel, to gain respect and love 
E'en of posterity, and the approving smile 
Of Conscience and of Heaven just recompense ; nor guile, 
Nor malice, nor envy fear, of any jealous foe ; — 
For verily, thou shalt have thy due reward, — this know. 



THE WORLD'S FIFTH EMPIRE. 

CANTO THIRD. 



still one great clitne, iu full and free definuce, 

Yet rears her crest, uuconquered and sublime, 

Above the far Atlantic ! She has taught 

Her Esau brethren that the haughty flag, 

The floating fence of Albion's feebler crag. 

May strike to those whose red right bauds have bought 

Eights cheaply earned with blood. 

Btron's Ode. 

Let the bloody flag be furled, 

Nobler is the task we're set. 
And 'tis treason to the world 

To neglect It, or forget. 
Science woos us to her arms ; 

New discovery waits our time ; 
Young iuveutiou speads her charms ; 

Knowledge beckons us to climb ; 
Brothers, join us in the van. 
And we'll lead the march of man. 

Chakles Maokat. 
" A Remonstrmice with the Americans. 

Two hundred years have flown upon Time's flighty wing, 
With all the woes and joys which changes ever bring ; 
Two hundred years have past, have swiftly glided by, 
Fleet as the lightning's flash which gilds the summer sky. 



46 THE WORLDS 

Since o'er the heaving bosom of Ocean wild and vast 

A white may-flowei' was borne by old Coins' blast. 

That blossom fair but frail on Columbia's shore was thrown ; 

It withered and decayed, but soon its seeds were grown. 

And now the course of empire far westwai-d takes its way ; 

And open lies the Bible, and dawns a brighter day. 

The Pilgrims think that they, their children and their land, 
Will evermore be free from hard oppression's hand ; 
'Twas persecution's lash, which drove them o'er the sea — 
Conscience and Liberty, each bids them thus be free. 
' Tis true they have afflictions, privations, toils, and woes ; 
But strong in heart and hand they conquer all such foes. 
'Tis true, with Indians fierce they often must contend ; 
But then against these tribes themselves they can defend. 
They labors such and trials prefer to tyrant's rod 
Which long prevented them from worshiping their God. 
They live, and work, and toil ; then pass off, one by one. 
Not fearing to meet death, conscious of duty done. 
Their sons inherit all the virtues of their sires, 
And in their manly breasts burn Liberty's bright fires. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 47 

They have been taught to fear one true and mighty God, 

But not to bow down at a human despot's nod. 

To worship as they pleased their fathers good came here, 

Themselves also to govern, no other lords to fear. 

Such sentiments, as these, spring in their breasts innate, 

And is it strange that they should tyranny thus hate "? 

A rich, broad land they have ; religious freedom's theirs, 
And civil, too, oh! should they entertain e'er fears, 
That they will be disturbed in the possession of 
These privileges sweet, now Heaven's so bright above ? 
An ocean rolls between the New World and the Old, 
They think themselves secure behind this barrier bold. 

How like an April morn, when Phojbus brightly smiles ! 
The farmer views the skies, and dreams not he of wiles. 
He plows his fertile land, prepares his seed to sow. 
When thunder rolls above, and winds begin to blow. 
For slowly o'er the sea, there moves a threatening cloud ; 
Upon it figures strange inscribed by tyrants proud ; 



48 THE WORLD S 

But as it nearer draws, distinct those letters seem, 

" Chains or Death, Death or Chains 1 " sucli words there 

fiercely gleam. 
Long hung that cloud above, that cloud so dark and frowning, 
True Freedom's mountain-peaks, thus like a death-cap crowning! 

A firm answer gave the child to her cruel mother proud : 
" Oh ! give me liberty, or wrap me in a shroud ! " 
Then bursts forth the war-storm, amid artillery's thunder. 
The world looks on the strife in mingled hope and wonder. 

But in the mother-land, oh ! are they none who dare 
To cry against such wrong, though hundreds at them stare. 
And on their noble heads cast deep reproach and shame. 
And for Columbia's acts, e'en vow they are to blame. 
And call all such fell foes to their beloved land. 
Because for Freedom's sake they take a noble stand ? 
And when she now remonstrates against her unjust laws, 
Oh ! are there none to speak for Right's and Truth's dear cause ? 
Yes, God be praised, there are, a few, a manly few, 
Who plead with tongues of fire for all that's right and true ! 



^ FIFTH EMPIEE. 49" 

Yes, Barre, Freedom's lover, great Barre first stands there. 

His gallant arm to raise for our Columbia fair. 

Useless for foes to say, that she, and every son 

Owed gratitude for acts of kindness, favor done 

By Britain mild and good ; — that England sowed the seed, 

^And pruned and reared the tree, and cut down every weed. 

^^ They planted by your care ! Oppression planted them. 

They fleeing from your rod dared ocean's perils stem. 

Unto a barren country the driven pilgrims went, 

Where trials and sufferings sore, and hardships Fortune sent, 

Such as humanity is scarce e'er called to bear ; 

And among many others which I might mention, were 

Cruelties and terrors of a fierce, and savage foe, 
y 

'^The most formidable, which God's whole earth doth know! 
But still with English liberty bright burning in their breast, 
They chose thus to be cursed, rather than by you blessed. 
Reared by your indulgence! They grew by your neglect. 
When you began to care for them their growth was checked. 
That care was exercised, in sending persons there 
To rule them, and to spy, to make their actions wear 



50 THE WORLD'S 

The aspect of rebellion ; — yes, men whose deeds, T know, 
Have oft-times made the blood cease freely on to flow 
Along the veins of these bold Sons of Liberty ; — 
Yes, men too glad to go, from justice here to flee. 
Protected by your arms ! They have defended you. 
For they have taken arms duty to your land to do. 
Amid their labors hard, great valor have they used 
There to defend a country, whose frontier was suffused 
With their own blood ; Avhile its interior parts did yield 
Its savings for your coffers ; — thus you did they shield. 

"And these people, I believe, are loyal subjects true, 
But jealous of their liberties, as dear to them as you ; 
And ready at any time, should you offend their right, 
To rise in majesty, and for their freedom fight ! " 

And William Pitt is there, the good, the noble, great : 
"You say, our Colonies are rebels obstinate. 
And that they have resisted I heartily rejoice. 
Three millions all so deaf to Liberty's strong voice, 



^ FIFTH EMPIRE. 51 

As to submit like slaves, when still they might be free, 
But to enslave the others fit instruments would be. 
America, you say, is weak, but Britain strong ; 
'Tis true in a good cause, but not when in the wrong, 
Our country great might crush this young colonial land, 
^But against injustice such I will e'er lift my hand. 
In such an unjust cause, chance of success were small ; 
And if indeed she fell, like the strong man would she fall ; 
Embracing, in tight grasp, the pillars of the State, 
With her downfall would fall our Constitution great ! " 

Burke, greatest orator of all, is there, and tries 
With noblest eloquence to open the dull eyes 

V 

/Of his own countrymen, who blindly forward rush 
Vowing 'neath their legions' feet Freedom's sons to crush ! 
These for Columbia fight, along with a few others. 
Though overborne by thousands, — a band of Theban brothers, 
Whose names with Lafayette's forever linked should be, 
Champions of Right and Truth, dear friends of Liberty ! 



52 THE WORLD'S 

But, Lafayette ! Oh who can mention tliy loved name, 
Resounding 'mong Time's hills, sounded by trump of Fame, 
And not one moment stop, a tribute small to pay 
Of veneration, love? — Oh! who could not long stay, 
And on thy statue gaze, which the great artist skilled 
Has from his marble cut, with life, soul, vigor filled,— 
Almost as natural form, as sprung from each rough stone, 
Which o'er the head of Pyrrha and old Deucalion, thrown, 
Became a living man, who saw, and felt, and talked. 
And conscious of real life, in noble manhood walked ? 
Who thoughtful, standing there, and gazing could not see. 
That eye grow bright, and flash with fire of liberty ? 
Who musing could not see blood mantling to that cheek. 
And those lips quiver quick, as if they wished to speak 
A word for Freedom's cause, — not see uplifted arm 
Thrill with new strength, as if to shield her from all harm,- 
Not see that noble heart, beat 'gainst its marble wall. 
As if it still were moved by her inspiring call,— 
Not stand and gaze thereon, until that figure grows 
Twin to the image dear, which his heart holds, and knows ! 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 53 

And Kosciusko, too ! oh ! no we'll not neglect 
To speak a word foi* him — a token of respect. 
At mention of that name, a bi'ight, electric spark — 
Glowing like the comet's, amid surrounding dark^ — 
Of warm enthusiasm, of pleasure, and of joy, 
, E'en in the coldest soul, should speedily destroy 
All lethargy of regard and feeling toward his land. 
And kindle smouldering fires of patriotism, fanned 
By fluttering of the wings of thoughts horoic, strong, 
Awakening country's love, as through his mind they throng. 

Why Arnold, e'en, accursed, — before his last step fell 
Which led him to the brink of a foul traitor's hell — 
Why e'en a man thus sunk in degradation's mire, 
It seems the very sound of such names might inspire ' 

With nobler resolves still, and make him then retrace 
His black, polluted path, and upward throw his face. 
To catch the glorious beams of Liberty's bright sun, 
And not, like some poor owl, turn off his head to shun ! 



54: THE WORLD'S 

"Oh ! give me liberty, or wrap me in a shroud ! " 
Exclaims Columbia fair. Then breaks that threatening cloud, 
And forth the war-storm bursts amid artillery's thunder! 
The world looks on the strife in mingled hope and wonder. 
The kings and queens of earth with Albion sympathise, 
The peojile, for the child, turn heavenward hearts and eyes. 
Herostratus, the Greek, once caused a temple's flame — 
Thus to immortalize him — on skies to brand his name. 
Ah! England wouldst thou fire dear Freedom's temple grand, 
And on Columbia's sky they name and shame thus brand ! 
For fire and rapine, murder, thy armies these attend; 
But Washington is there, his country to defend. 

Hark ! muffle now your drums, ye foes of freeman brave, 
In yon lone grove the chief prays God his land to save; 
Submits the cause to him, and begs his blessing now, 
While light from Heaven's gate half open gilds his brow ! 
He feels his prayer is heard, then mounts his eager steed — 
With what assurance now his army doth he lead I 
A cloud guides him by day, a fiery pillar, night ; 
Hope with her voice cheers him, and God's controls the fight. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 55 

But Washington ! — oh ! had I now a tongue of fire, 
Like some great seraph high, to speak thoughts which inspire 
The patriot's burning heart, when power in that loved name, 
A magic strength unseen, so like, though not the same 
As electricity 's invincible, hidden, strong, 
Which in its latent might, a genius moves along ! — 
When power in that loved name o'erwhelms his ardent soul, 
And through its channels full makes gratitude's streams roll 
Too deep for utterance, as through the giant veins 
Of Terra waters flow, not with loud, noisy strains. 
But rivers silent, grand, strong, fathomless, and clear. 
While only babbling brooks break forth and strike the ear ! 

But on this hero true, no eulogy we speak ; 
We no encomium give — such an attempt were weak. 
Nor will we his great deeds presume here to record; — 
The world his actions know, his fame as earth is broad. 

'Tis said that he a youth, once up the Natural Bridge, 
In peril, fearless climbed clinging to ledge and ridge ; 



56 THE WORLD'S 

And there engraved his name upon a giant block, 
By nature's Architect laid firm — a solid rock — 
So high that greatest flood, when swollen it would tear 
Along, could never reach, and out those letters wear. 
On an adamantine wall of a stupendous cliff, 
And higher than Atlas far, or " towering Teneriffe," 
Supporting the universe in glorious strength sublime, — 
Founded on endless space — the pyramid of time — 
Fame with her chisel has that mighty name cut deep. 
And great eternity's strong waves, as by they sweep, 
INIay never wash away those characters of light, 
Placed not too high for man's, nor low for angel's sight ! 

But here, my countrymen, with deep emotion now 
I you congratulate, while grateful heart I bow 
To Him who ever led the "Father of his Land," 
Along his pathway here, so kindly by the hand — 
That you yourselves possess the crumbling bones and dust 
Cf him you love — of all earth the greatest and most just. 
The house wherein he lived, the ground whereon he trod, 
Doth to you also belong ;— return thanks to your God. 



^ FIFTH EMPIRE. 57 

But say, wluxt earthly one should you for this most praise ? 
To what great patriot true should grateful hearts now raise 
A national, rich song, expressing what they feel 
Toward benefactor such, working for public weal, 
And to do honor some and justice to one dear, 
J Whose memory is so sweet to freemen far and near? [name 
" Great Everett! good Everett! " millions of tongues that 
In raptures wild repeat, — "In the temple grand of Fame 
We'll place his statue, too, of purest marble, which 
Shall stand by Washington's, high in conspicuous niche ! — 
An orator as great as any beneath the sun, 
A man who in each trust has his full duty done. 
No politician, he the statesman, patriot, stands — 
Deep foot-prints will he leave upon Time's golden sands! " 

But from digression long 'tis time we should return. 
Though these themes make our hearts with love's bright beams 

to burn. 
We left Columbia's sons and Albion's in Avar fierce, 
E'er watching Freedom's life, e'er trying her to pierce, 

6 



58 THE WOKLD'S v 

But as from Sinai's top, 'mid tliunders, lightnings bright, 
Those rolling hoarsely 'round, these gilding with their light, 
While o'er the lofty peak, hung heavy a thick cloud, 
All Israel trembling much at trump "exceeding loud," 
God uttered forth the just and holy decade-law, 
Adapted for mankind, Avithout one single flaw ; K 

So on Columbia's hills amid a mighty storm, 
In the great fii-mament political, a form, 
In mystery had appeared, — Herald of Liberty — 
And sounding bugle clear, had bid her sons be free ; 
And loud as Stentor old, there given to the world. 
As flag of stars and stripes, he o'er his head unfurled. 
The Declaration great of Independence, whose 
Reverberations wild will ne'er their echoes lose, 
'Mong crags and vales and plains, where shall beat hearts of steel, 
While man is man, and feels as freeman true should feel ! 

Impossible it is to conquer men like these, 
Though easy quite it be, to harass, vex, and tease. 
For eight years long tliey fight, as none but freemen fight; 
Successful generally, but sometimes in sad plight. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 59 

Yes, though the eagle swift of victory perched upon 
Their flag the greatest while — still ever and anon, 
Like bird of omen ill, frowning Defeat would fly, 
As if God chastened them, athwart the freemen's sky, 
And with the shadow dark — as with a cloud of gloom — 
^ Of her black wing would hold — like tapers in a tomb — 
The glowing, sparkling beams of Liberty's bright sun. 
And for a while perhaps their burning hopes thus stun ! 
Ah ! more than once a grave in the forest's lonely glade. 
By bright British bayonets, for Freedom true, was made ; 
But with the shield of truth she warded each strong blow. 
Impenetrable e'en as the buckler which once low 
From the heavens fell in Eome, while the oracle declared 
That its possessors should from death, defeat be spared 
So long as it they held, and conquering every land, 
As rulers of the world in pride and glory stand ! 

Now young Columbia's foes outdone despondent grew, 
Seeing her hopeful still, invincible and true. 
Acknowledging at last her independent, free, 
Keturned they to their homes across the broad, deep sea. 



GO THE WORLD'S 

And then tlie war-storm ceased, the contest fierce was o'er, 
And heartfelt shouts of joy arose from shore to shore. 
And Liberty's great sun shone brighter than it e'er 
Had done since earth began — no cloud was longer near. 
The eagle upward soared, and flashed like fire his eye, 
As guarding sea and land, he spread his wings on high. 

Our fathers ne'er were slaves ; no, they were freemen born, 
Back Britain's chains they hurled with wrath, indignant scorn. 
Her great triumphal car they never drew along. 
As foreign captives drew old Caesar's chariot strong. 
Their proud and stubborn necks a yoke could never bear, 
And slavei'y's manacles their hands could never wear ! 

"With all their changes years now swift away had passed 
And young Columbia fair in power and strength grown fast, 
When Albion jealous grew of her proud stand and fame, 
And tried from earth to blot her great and honored name. 
Upon the mighty ocean they grasped in deadly fight ; 
Then Albion's glory sunk in deepest, darkest night ! 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 61 

But though that mother proud, and brave, but envied child 
Once drew each other's flood, long they've been reconciled. 
And henceforth let each show, a great and glorious nation, 
Of other's virtues all a nobler appreciation. 
For if upon this earth there be two mighty states, 
' Where Truth o'er Sin and Error ever predominates ; 
Where Liberty is loved — ^' vox pojndi'' the cry, 
These Christian lands are they, none others 'neath the sky. 
Britannia let us love next to Columbia dear, 
Her glorious name and fame e'er cherish and revere. 
She always ready is to take us by the hand. 
Humanity's great cause to give a solid stand ! — 
To patronize with us literature, science, art. 
Developing best qualities of intellect and heart. 
Upon the ocean deep, throughout the entire world, 
Our banners are respected, where'er they are unfurled. 
Thus 'neath protection joint, Religion keeps her throne, 
And thus in every land her precious seeds are sown. 
Soon may these hearts whose throb is felt in every clime, 
Forever be united in unison sublime ; 



62 THE FIFTH EMPIRE. 

And then may each one's active, powerful pulsation, 
Meet with a quick response in similar vibration ! 



THE WORLD'S FIFTH EMPIRE. 

CANTO FOURTH. 



Columbia, Columbia, to glory arise, 

The queen of the world, alid the child of the skies. 

Thy reign is the last, and the noblest of time ; 
Most fruitful thy soil, most inviting thy clime. 

On freedom's broad basis tliat empire shall rise. 
Extend with the main, and dissolve with tlie skes. 
Fair Science her gates to thy sons shall unbar. 
And the east see thy morn hide the beams of her star. 

To thee, the last refuge of virtue designed. 
Shall fly from all nations the best of mankind. 

DWIOIIT. 

Thou shalt be blessed above all people. 

Deut. VII 14. 



"Oh! woodman, spare that tree! " the youth cries in his grief, 
"My father placed it there, oh! touch not e'en a leaf!" 
From Hyacinthus' blood a flower once reared its head ; 
Sprung the tree of Liberty from patriots' life-blood red ! 



64 THE WORLD'S 

Old Europe's mightiest power twice tried to fell that tree, 

But all her efforts failed, and sank beneath Time's sea. 

Thus warning let all take, nor touch with ax its roots. 

Our fathers placed it there, and trained with pride its shoots. 

It rears aloft its head, and stx'ctches wide its arms ; 

Bids Freedom's lovers find a refuge from all harms. 

And men of every nation beneath its shade can rest. 

And safely there enjoy our fathers' good bequest. 

Tis false, "man never is, but always to he, blest;" 

Ilowe'er we may respect the man, who this expressed. 

The blessings of our race lie not far off concealed 

Behind tlie future's veil, but to us are revealed. 

Abstractions not are they, but real and seen and felt. 

As visible as manna, when God 'mong Israel dwelt, 

AVhich from the skies would fall, and cover all the ground. 

And cause the barren sand with plenty to abound. 

Thus here God showers his gifts, and makes his grace descend, 

Like dews, as if he wished both earth and Heaven to blend 

In a silvery flood of love, through medium which the soul, 

As the cngle mounts the air, may reach its shining goal. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 65 

When follow ive the smile of Hope's face radiant, bright, 

It never us deceives as an ignis fatuiis' light. 

Oh ! if the pi'ivilege to worship as we please, 

No union, church with state, Avhose shadow cold might freeze, 

Or darken somewhat the streams of veneration, love, 

Which never should be checked once touched by finger of 

Jehovah, Lord of all, as pure, as bright, as free, 

While flowing on unto Eternity's wide sea, 

E'en as those waters sprung from rock struck by the rod 

Of Moses with power none, save simply faith in God; — 

Oh ! if the privilege we have to make our laws. 

And make such laws as Ave think will subserve the cause 

Of justice and of right, — and men alone to choose. 

Whom we would wish to rule, all others to refuse ; — 

If privileges such, which long Ave have possessed, 

Are not especial blessings, then true, Ave ai*e not blessed. 

And if to have a land embraced by every zone. 

With eA'ery kind of climate, which unto us is knoAvn, 

Girdled by belt of ice, or there by chain of fire ; 

Here by Avarm bands or cool, Avhich moderate doth inspire 



66 THE WORLD'S 

A pleasant temperature into the air around, 

Making delightful breeze thus ever to abound ; 

And then on either side, as up or down Ave go, 

Approaching by degrees to land of flame or snow ; — 

Yes, if to have a land, within Avhose great domain. 

At different seasons grow all kinds of fruit and grain, 

Such as most other nations must seek the wide world o'er. 

If they should wish to find, and visit many a shore ; — 

Yes, if to have a land, dearer to us by far. 

Because 'twas bought by toils, and labors, blood, and war; 

Where gold and silver, iron, and lead and coal and stone. 

Within her fruitful womb are to perfection grown ; — 

If having such a land as long we have possessed, 

Is not a mighty blessing, then, true, we are not blessed. 

And if to live within the borders of a land. 

Where twice ten thousand temples of God in beauty stand, 

And point with graceful spires up toward the azure sky, 

Like the finger true of Faith, to turn our eyes on high ; — 

Where a Christian army, in strong and bold phalanx 

Of millions e'er march on, with firm and solid ranks, 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 67 

Unfurling to the winds their banners white of peace, 
And with the roll of drum, recruiting to increase ; 
Each one wearing his cross, a badge of honor, dear, 
Armed with the swoi'd of faith, which quivers not with fear ; 
With breast-plate strong of truth, his bosom to protect, 
' E'er marching with firm step, with noble head erect ; — 
Where Learning's temples rise on almost every hill, 
And streams of Knowledge flow our country great to fill. 
Each a "Pierean spring," a fount whence all may drink. 
Without a price or money, and muse and study, think ; — 
Yes, if to live within the borders of a land. 
Where e'er inventions useful, and beautiful, and grand. 
Are nearer than elsewhere unto perfection brought; — 
Where science, arts, religion, are to her children taught; 
Where thirty million men, or more perhaps, now dwell, 
The most enlightened race of which the earth can tell ; — 
If having all these boons, which long we have possessed, 
Is not what's being blessed, then, true, we are not blessed! 
Why since the day that Terra, who till that hour unborn, 
Had lain in Chaos' Avomb, — since that great, glorious morn 



68 THE WORLD'S 

When " without form, and void," she lay while Darkness frowned, 
And God's bright Spirit moved the water's face around, 
And loud as thunder spake a voice, "Let there be light!" 
And light arose where but a moment since was night. 
While all the morning stars sang loud together in glee, 
And all the sons of God there shouted for joy to see 
Another world come forth to manifest the power 
Of Ilim who had done all in one short little hour ! — 
Yes, since old Terra's birth, and man's creation strange. 
Placed in that gai'den fair in happiness to I'ange, 
Two greater blessings only have fallen on mankind, 
Than that which was bestowed, when 'cross the sea to find 
Unto the golden Indies a nearer and better course, 
Sailed Christopher Columbus, and thereby found the source 
Whence since have flowed such boons invaluable and grand, — 
Than his discovery of this vast and glorious land ! 
Yes, have two greater blessings, but only two been sent, 
Though many less have come in palace, and hut, and tent. 
With their sweet smile to cheer, like angels from the skies, 
And make man's heart to beat with rapture and surprise. 



y FIFTH EMPIRE. 69 

And iirst: — When man in sin's fount of pollution dire 
Had steeped his very soul, and seemed thus ne'er to tire, 
Unmindful of the flood, which centuries long before 
Had swept the human race from every rock and shore, 
And in a council solemn in Heaven's great high courts held, 
J Christ, glorious Son of God, by love of man impelled, 
Arose and thus addressed the Father upon his throne. 
Around whose august presence thin rainbow clouds were strovvn. 
Lest angels standing near, soon blinded by the light 
Of his great majesty, should sink in endless night ! 
" True, Father, man has sinned, and fallen from thy grace. 
And thus debased thine image marked strong upon his face ; 
But let us mercy have on him, a poor worm frail, 
Though he transgress and err, and in his duty fail. 
Oh! in thy wrath provoked and indignation just, 
Down in perdition's depth I pray thee not to thrust 
This race which thou hast made, but send thine only Son 
To that dai'k, sinful world to speak to every one. 
And lead him back to thee ; though I should suffer much, 
I'll go for such a cause, to give thee glory such !" — 



70 THE WORLD'S 

Yes, when upon this earth the glorious Son of God 

Rode, not like human conqueror bearing his sword and rod, 

And in a chariot gilt, with dazzling pomp, parade. 

As if the whole wide world was for his glory made, 

But seated upon an ass, and lowly thus appeared, 

And though a royal Prince by humble parents reared, — 

A greater blessing this — such mercy, grace, and love! 

Ah ! yes the greatest far that e'er came from ab ove. 

Thence many hundred years, when Terra had been chained 
Firm to a column of the empire o'er which reigned, 
As sovereign lord and king, Satan, "by merit raised 
To that bad eminence," by demons feared and praised — 
Chained with fetters ponderous, and sunk in clouds of gloom. 
While vultui'es of darkness sat by ever to consume 
Her throbbing, bleeding heart; (like to Prometheus bound 
To a pillar of the hills by Jove, while him around 
All night an eagle flew — e'en more insatiate 
Than Avere the harpies famed — impatient quite to wait 
Till daylight should appear, when his poor liver torn 
Sliould give another feast, then to its full size grown — 



\ FIFTH EMPIRE. 71 

Ijoiind thus till Hercules had broken his bonds strong, 
And killed the bird whicli had tormented him so long) 
Chained with fetters ponderous, till Luther in his might 
Had grasped and crushed them all, and led her from the night; 
Thence many hundred years, when Terra in sins dead 
i Was roused by a mighty voice, which in loud thunders said : 
" Rise ! Mien child of God, rise from thy dreary tomb, 
Thou must be born again, shake off that shroud of gloom ;" — 
And when inquiring if she really must indeed 
Enter old Chaos' Avomb, and there lie still till freed 
By second birth, the voice replied distinct and clear, 
*■' Thou must be born of water and of the Spirit, hear ! " — 
As unto Nicodemus, Christ teaching once spake, and 
Thus made this master old of Israel understand 
The difference great between the spirit and the flesh ; 
And how, when man's soul had been caught in sin's strong mesh, 
It must be born again, receive another shape. 
Before from this tight net it e'er can make escape ; — 
When Terra was re-born, created then anew, 
A greater blessing this, greater perhaps, 'tis true. 



72 THE WORLD'S 

But save these blessings rich, Christ's mission here on earth, 

And Terra's wonderful and glorious second birth, 

None other greater has e'er fallen on mankind 

Than that which was bestowed, when 'cross the sea to find. 

Unto the golden Indies, a better and nearer course, 

Sailed Christopher Columbus and thereby found the source, 

Whence since have flowed such boons invaluable and grand, — 

Than his discovery of this vast and glorious land. 

If having such a land as long we have possessed 

Is not what's being blessed, then true we are not blessed ! 

Columbia ! loved Columbia ! thou home of patriots true. 
The mention of thy name will e'er our love renew ! 
Accept the grateful homage a grateful people give, 
As long as time shall be, while Liberty shall live. 
Thou land of hills and valleys, where towering mountains rise. 
And rear their snow-wreathed brows high upward to the skies ! 
Thou land of plains and forests where mighty rivers roll 
Along thy healthy veins far onward to their goal ! 
Great temple of Eeligion, and her twin sister dear, 
Loved, cherished Liberty, whom freemen all revere — 



FIl&^Tn EMPIRE. 73 

Grand Temple reared by God, the Jews' and Gentiles' home, 
The mountain-peaks thy spires, the concave sky thy dome ; 
The lakes baptismal fonts, the cliffs thy altars which 
Are filled with offerings sweet piled in profusion rich 
High up unto the sky, fired by the lightning's flash — - 
■ As when the prophets false of Baal to abash, 
In olden times, God sent fire down from Heaven and burned 
Elijah's bullock fat, that thus it might be learned 
Who was his minister, and who impostor vile, — > 
For this an angry frown, for that a gracious smile. 

Grand Temple reared by God, the Jews' and Gentiles' home, 
The mountain-peaks thy spires, the concave sky thy dome ; 
Birds sing their songs of praise, old Ocean murmurs low, 
Whose solemn organ-notes in streams of music flow — • 
Thy congregation great, millions of freemen true, 
Who throng thy sacred aisles, and fill each open pew. 

Columbia ! loved Columbia ! thou art a nation's pride ; 
In grandeur, glory, strength all lands thou hast defied. 

7 



74 THE WollLD'S 

No equals, rivals few, e'er mayst tliou hold such place, 
Great God's own glorious work, thou land of noblest race ! 
Thrones totter to their base, and kingdoms falling crash, 
As mad contention's waves around them fiercely dash ; 
Beneath war's mighty earthquake the Old World's empires reel, 
Like vessels in a storm, when skies there wrath reveal. 
But though commotions rage, Oh, thou my noble land, 
As granite isle of sea as firm shall ever stand, 
Around whose solid base, the foaming waves e'er dash, — • 
Against Avhose rock-ribbed sides the angry billows lash ! 

But are there some among old Europe's ruling mass. 
Who say our honest boast, is but as " sounding brass ; " 
And vow with earnestness, that young Columbia fair, 
Her wreath of glory, pride, will not forever wear 1 
And do they challenge us to tell them why, when all 
The ancient lands have fallen, our own shall never fall ? 

And are there some 'mong those who much do tyrants hate. 
And our free land respect, who when they contemplate, 



i J^lJ^TIi EMPIRE. 75 

Of ancient, miglity lands, the grandeur and the powei'. 
Some living centuries long^ and others but an hour, 
Still falling all at last, and lying in the dirt, 
tJnable to throw off Death's bonds which them begirt, — - 
Who lose their confidence that young Columbia fair* 
• Ol?^ wreath of glory, pride, as now, Avill ever wear, 
And ask a reason for the hope which in us lies, 
As bright as any star that gilds the a^ure skies? 
We shall when Ave have oped the volume of the Past, 
And seen how once arose and fell these kingdoms vast, 



THE WORLD'S FIFTH EMPIRE. 

CANTO FIFTH. 



But hold ! -^ these dai-k, these perishing ai-cades, 
/ These moulderiug pliuths, these sad and blackened shafts, 

These vague entablatures, this broken frieze, 
These shattered cornices, this wreck, this ruin, 
These stones — alas ! these gray stones, are they all, 
All of the proud and the colossal left 
Cy the corrosive hours to fate and me ? 

Edgak a. Poe. 

Though evei-y other laud should fall, lie with the dead. 
While earth lasts, thou, my land, shalt rear thy uoble head. 

Anonymous. 

See Koman Scipio great amid giant ruins stand, 

While naught the silence breaks save heart-beats slow and grand ! 

He meditates alone and stirs his inmost soul ; — • 

A mighty race he's run, and now has reached the goal ; 

And prostrate at his feet a fallen empire lies ;- — 

She begs him not for peace, for death has closed her eyes. 



THE FIFTH EMPIRE. 77 

Enwrapt in vision's mantle his statue there he stands ! 

The panorama long of ages clasping hands 

Moves slowly on before with ever -varying scene ; 

Now dark with gloomy cloud, now bright with golden sheen. 

And mighty structures wondrous here rise up toward the sky ; 

Oh ! can such empires fall ? and can such glory die ? 

The master minds of world have their foundations laid 

In earth's firm centre, deep, and their proportions weighed. 

But see, they totter now, while their tall columns crumble, 
And 'neath the earthquake's shock, to earth from Heaven they 

tumble ! 
Then onward moves the canvass, and other empires shows, 
Expanded germs of mind, as oak from acorn grows. 
They have their rise, their strength, their dotage, and their fall ; 
Not all great glory reach, but death the doom of all ! 

Here rises " sacred Troy," with palaces and walls ; 
But soon the Grecians come ;— she conquers or she falls. 
Before her gates the host, with proud " Jove nourished kings ; " 
His armor Hector takes and out his Trojans brings. 



78 tttfi WOULD'S 

Alas! cursed Avith the knowledge of What will be hei* doom, 
He sees old Ilium strong soon wrapt in death-like gloom ! 
"I know the day will come When our great Troy shall fall — • 
Ah ! Troy with her people, her glory and her all ! " 
Yes, e'en old Ilium fell, for destined not to stand, 
She for her race become a mausoleum grand ! 
A remnant of her sons in fortune's hands are thrown ; 
Through perils great they pass, then reach a shore unknown. 
And now on Terra's breast an infant in strength gains, — ■ 
Home rises to the view, and o'er the world soon reigns. 
Across the narrow sea, a rival rears her head; 
The Romans she defies, though earth shake 'neath their tread. 
And thrice in bloody combat, in wrath they grapple long ; 
Carthage at last grows weak, but old Rome in power strong. — 
In ruins now Carthage lies, her walls fall to the ground, 
And loud the victors' shouts through skies above resound. 

The canvass now's unwound from the mighty wheel of Time, 
And Scipio has viewed these awful scenes sublime I 



He wakes him from his dream, and when lie sees the fate 

Of Rome's once giant rival, an empire once so great, 

Then from the fountains deep of a great and noble heart, 

Flow tears clear as the streams which from the mountains start 

And quick across his mind, a strange thought flashes now, 

And clouds in sorrow deep that sunlit, laureled brow, — ■ 

That such will be the fate of proud and mightj Rome, 

The mistress of the world, his own, beloved home. 

The words of Hector brave, he to himself repeats, 

As moved he gazes on those sad, deserted streets : 

" I know the day will come, when our great Troy shall fall— 

Ah ! Troy with her whole race, her glory and her all ! 

And oh! the day will come when Rome so great shall fall — 

Old Rome with her whole race her glory and her all ! " 

Though in this vision grand, the panorama long 

Showed some empires which stood and fell like giants strong, 

Antiquity's thick mist, and the settling dust of ages, 

Hid of time's strange history quite many and bright pages ; 

And as that canvass long there onward, onward rolled, 

Oh ! many views there were Avhich he could not behold. 



80 THE WORLD S 

But still he sees enough to make him ponder, and 

Confess Rome too will fall, struck down by Death's fell hand. 

But mystery queer and strange, oh ! why is it that he 

Makes such prediction now ?— affirms the day will he. 

When Eome with all her power shall pass away and die, 

And in obscurity entombed there ever lie? 

Why such prediction noiu, when flushed with all the pride 

Of a great conqueror, who stands there by the side 

Of Rome's dead enemy—that Amazon whose strength 

Had made her ever fear, till pierced, stretched out at length % 

It had not been so strange, if many years before, 

When Hannibal the Great such fame and glory bore, — 

When he marched to the Alps, and made those Titans bold 

To doff their snowy plumes, and suppliant knee to hold, — 

Yes, made those giants tall lie level with the ground, 

(As his imperial trump the stern command did sound) 

Acknowledging his might invincible and strong, 

As o'er their prostrate forms he led his troops along, 

And then swept down upon Italia's blooming plain 

Like a mad avalanche Avhcrc Death and Terror reign, — 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 81 

If then some Konian litid predicted she would fall, 

And meet a fate but common or soon or late to all. — • 

It had not been so strange, if when a conquering foe 

Had brought upon her fear and consternation, woe, — 

Had scattered to the winds, like chaff before the mill, 

Her legions brave and strong, — had baffled the courage, skill 

Of every consul who witli army had been sent 

To stop his wild career, to heal the dangerous rent, 

Which in Italia's side the cold and cruel blade. 

Deep driven by victoi''s hand, had in his fury made, 

Whence flowed in purple stream her life-blood dear and true, 

As there drooped in agony her mild, soft eye of blue ; 

And fled the genial smile from her bright, sunny face ; 

And faded in her hair the flowers which once did grace ; — 

It had not been so strange, if when drear, black Despair 

Had oped her sable wings, and dropped their shadow there 

On every trembling heart ; when Eumor flying fast, 

Announced in quivering tones that hope for Rome was past, — 

That thundering at her gates soon Hannibal would stand. 

And soon her people die, and fiill her temples grand ; — 



82 THE WORLD'S 

If at this dreadful hour when clouds hung like palls dark, 

And when her star of hope had ceased to cast a spark, — 

If then some Roman had predicted slie would fall. 

And meet a fate but common or soon or late to all ; — 

It had not been so strange, e'en if he had then said. 

That through the future's veil he saw liome with the dead. 

But for one thus to speak, when after even more 

Than one whole century, with short intervals, the door — 

A flood-gate through which long had flowed war's purple tide- 

Of Janus' temple grand, that had stood open wide, 

Thus indicating that Bellona fierce and Mars 

Rode raging through the air in their swift, blood-washed cars, 

Attended by Discord, and Clamor, and Anger, Fear, 

Who with them e'er were wont 'midst war's din to aj)pear, 

And make the world resound with their loud shout and cry. 

As they in hurry mad Hew 'tween the earth and sky ; — 

But for one thus to speak, when after even more 

Than one Avhole century, with short intervals, the door, 

Which had thus open stood, was closed to tell mankind 

Peace had resumed the seat old War had now resigned; — 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 83 

When after struggling hard one hundred years and more, 
With pauses that they might their energies restore ; — 
When after wrestling long old Carthage had gone down, 
Ne'er more to make Rome fear her menace or her frown, — 
Now thus for him to speak is very strange indeed, 
Triumphant, seeing all his cherished plans succeed ; 
Knowing that Eome is now the mistress of the world, 
When her last rival has thus from her throne been hurled. 
Because all other lands of ages gone and past, 
After a life-time short, grew weak and fell at last, 
As natural consequence, must she meet this sad doom. 
And lie down too, as they, in gloomy ruin's tomb? 
Has she no principle immortal, great and strong, — 
Does no peculiar virtue unto old Rome belong. 
Which will make her o'er the entire world to reign. 
With all its conquered princes there marching in her train. 
Till old Destruction fierce shall throw his arms at length 
Around earth's pillars tall, and tlien with all his strength 
The structure great bring down, with loud, terrific sound. 
In universal ruin thus all thino;s to confound! 



84 THE WORLD'S 

"But, Scipio, oh! why is it that thou dost lose 
All of thy confidence — -while standing there to muse — 
In the eternity of old Kome's giant life, 
Now wholly freed by thee from fear and war and strife 1 
Thou art a patriot true, thou lovest thy great land, 
And though earth's mistress now, thou say'st she cannot stand!" 
Thus speaks Rome's anxious, good, protecting deity, 
And asks cause for his doubts of her the great and free. 
He answei'S not a word, but doth his statue stand ; 
The silence naught breaks save his heart-beats slow and grand ! 
For Fate invisible, as past him she doth fly. 
Low mutters in his ear with sad and doleful cry : 
" Ah ! yes, the day will come, when Kome so great shall fall, 
Old Eome with her whole race, her glory, and her all ! " 

But oh! my countrymen, is there among you one, 
Who living day by day 'neath Liberty's bright sun. 
Upon that spot could stand, where Alexander great 
Once stood, and gazed, and thought upon sad Troy's fate, 
While owls in mockery droll hooted from crumbling wall, 
And rank and poisonous vines embraced the columns tall, 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 85 

Which here and there yet stood to mark old Ilium's site, 
Past glory's monuments and fame's, once grand and bright; — 
Oh ! say, could one of you standing on that lone shore, 
Where that great man once stood and read his Homer o'er ; — 
Read how his ancestors had laid her in the dust. 
Assisted by the gods in a cause righteous, just — 
Then, there dare to repeat old Hector's words of fame, 
And then and there predict Columbia's fate the same ? 

Go to Thermopylae, and stand there where once stood 
Leonidas with his three hundred Spartans good. 
And there for many days, in that bold mountain-pass, 
Invincible withstood the great invading mass 
Of Persian armies vast, like rugged cliffs which stand 
As gray, grim giants tall, and e'er protect the land, 
By beating back the waves of sea with rage convulsed. 
Which might o'erwhelm the earth unless by these repulsed ; — 
Go sit where once there sat, upon his throne of gold, 
Xerxes the Great, and watched — as from his aerie bold, 
The warlike eagle doth, with joy, expected prey — 
For a great victory, soon, and honors of the day; — 



86 THE WORLD S 

Sit there and read how Greece was saved by Grecian men, 

How scores of Persian ships were sunk or taken then ; — 

Then visit Marathon that glorious battle field, 

On which two hundred thousand Persians once did yield 

Their lives to Erebus, by Grecia's warriors sent 

To deep Tartarean shades there ever to be pent, — 

That battle field on which they to old Persia taught 

That all her driven slaves and gold and show could naught 

Avail against a land, where freemen thought and felt. 

Where to the despot's rod, no valiant soul e'er knelt — 

And then read how Greece fell, old Greece called in her day 

The cradle of science, arts, where learning first held sway, — 

How she who conquered Troy, and then the world entire. 

By Rome at last was hurled into the dust and mire, — 

And then and there repeat old Hector's words of fame. 

And, if you can, predict Columbia's fate the same ! 

And oh ! my countrymen, is there among you one 

Who living day by day 'neath Liberty's bright sun, 

Upon that spot could stand where Scipio the Great 

Once stood, and thought and gazed on Carthage and her fote ;- 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 87 

Oh ! say, could one of you, now standing on the pLacc 
Where once sat Afric's queen, that queen of powei- and grace, 
There buried far beneath the heaped up sands of Time, 
With scarce a stone to mark her name once so subHme ; — 
Oh ! say, could one of you, whilst pondering deeply there. 
Let fall those words of PIcctor upon the silent air, 
And then like Scipio reasoning declare and feel her doom 
An emblem of the fate, your land will wrap in gloom! 

And now, Columbia's sons, read old Rome's famous story, 
With all its many leaves so gilt with gold and glory, — 
Eead how "^neas pious" led his small band so brave, 
Through tortuous pilgrimage across the ocean wave. 
Deserting their loved homes now held by conquering foe ; 
And choosing thus to wander, and sufllering every woe ; 
Preferring toils and trials to slavery's heavy chains. 
Well known to be the fate of each one that remains 
Among all Troy's ruins, which cover all the ground, 
While through her bloody streets the Grecians steps resound ; — 
How after trials, afflictions, and perils, troubles far 
Too many hei"e to name, the bright and golden star 



88 THE WORLD'S 

Of Hope arose, and slione high o'er Italia's shore, 

Causing their hearts to throb with joy ne'er known before; — 

How after many years an empire raised her head, 

And shook at last the earth, 'neath her firm, giant tread ; 

And how her conquering eagle flew fast from land to land, 

Subjecting nations all to his supreme command; 

E'en Greece escaping not, Greece gi-eat and glorious, old. 

The mother of warriors strong, e'en Alexander bold. 

Who from the chaos dark first lifted many a stone, 

And built an edifice, like earth scarce e'er has known, 

And then sat down and wept — this architect so great — 

Because through all the world he found no other state 

To break to pieces, wlience, materials to supply 

To raise his structure grand still higher toward the sky, 

That he might so ascend up to the heavens, and. 

There deified, be worshiped, a god august and grand ; — 

Then read how Kome, the queen, who o'er the earth once 

reigned, — 
How Rome, whose honored name had such great glory gained. 
Who conquered mighty Greece and Carthage and others too, 
The greatest empire which the ancients ever knew. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 89 

At last was overwliclmed by fierce barbarians wild, 

Such men as she had oft in heaps of tliousands piled 

On many a battle field, while cold and dead they stared, 

As offerings to her gods, their wrath thus to be spared, — 

Such men as she had oft tied to her chariot great. 

As in her triumphs proud she rode in pompous state, — 

Go visit every land beneath God's glorious sun. 

Where still some ruin stands to tell what once was done. 

Pointing with finger lank of hard and chilling stone 

To pages in history past, for tale of f;ime once known 

Throughout the whole, wide Avorld, though scarcely heard of now, 

So blindly do mankind unto the Pi-esent bow; — 

Go read the stories all of earth's chief empires great. 

Whose heroes famous were in arts and war, and state; — 

Yes, see and read all this, my countrymen, oh ! yes. 

And falter, if you can, in belief which we express. 

That our Columbia f;air, in all her pride shall be, 

As long as God lets stand the earth and rolling sea; — 

Yes, e'en then, if you can, utter these mournful lines. 

As in your gloomy sky the star of Hope declines: — 



90 THE FIFTH EMPIRE. 

" I know the day Avill come, wlien oiu* great Troy shall fall, 
Ah ! Troy Avith her whole race, her glory, and her all ! 
And oh ! I know that our Columbia great shall foil, 
Columbia with her race, her glory, and her all ! " 

But it Avas promised we would tell the sceptic why 
We had such confidence Columbia ne'er would die. 
Perhaps, should one see this he'd laugh in very glee. 
And say what we have said but strengthens doubts which he 
Had always thus possessed, by bringing to his mind, 
Afresh the olden tales Avhich we in history find ; 
And vow it would not take a prophet great to tell 
That our land too would go, for others older fell. 
Have patience, sir, and we will now soon tell you why 
We have such confidence Columbia ne'er will die. 
We will a difference show in the character and stamp 
Of civilization Avhich marked those whose mighty tramp 
May still be faintly heard, e'en to this distant day, 
Along the corridors of ages past away ! 



THE WORLD'S FIFTH EMPIRE, 



CANTO SIXTH. 



Westward tbe course of empire takes its way. 

The fii'st four acts already past, 
The fifth shall close the drama with the day — 

Time's noblest empire is its last. 



Eisnop Bekkley. 



And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon 
that house ; and it fell not : for it was founded upon a rock. 

Matt. vii. 25. 

' The volume of the Past, since first we oped and read, 
ITas told us much indeed, how by the giant tread 
Of mad Destruction strong, or Progress great, the world 
Was shaken, as in turn his banner each unfurled. 
But for a long time we have scanned but those Avorn pages 
Which treat of only ancient, and dim, beclouded ages ; 
So nearer, to our times it now behooves to turn. 
And from this ponderous book still reading, try to learn 



92 THE WORLDS 

What thus we may by glance, and then proceed to show 
Why we may think our land — the greatest earth doth know- 
Shall last as long as this great globe whereon we live, 
Which rounded by his hand God once did motion give. 

Now many hundred years on fleeting wing have flown, 
Since those of which we read as empires great were known. 
The middle ages now have come, and all the sky 
Is hung in mourning robes of clouds of blackest dye. 
O'er all the world's broad map our weary eyes we throw; 
But on no land the star of Progress seems to glow. 
To gross licentiousness, effeminacy, weak, 
Old Asia's given up, and Truth dares not to speak. 
Here e'en Jerusalem, where Christ once lived and taught, 
By infidels' strong chains to bondage hard is brought. 
And poor black Africa is hid, enveloped in 
Dark superstition's night, idolatry and sin. 
Europe — she loudly groans under a leaden weight. 
Prostrated to the earth, big with transgression's fate. 
No land we find where pure Religion is revered ; 
Where Liberty's fair robes with blood are never smeared ; 



i B'IFTH EMPIRE. 93 

Where Peace her snowy flag unfurls and holds command, 
And Truth's white breast is pierced by dart from no fell hand. 

Bat lo!— on yonder mount methinks I see a light 
Spreading its rays afar, illumining the night. 
*A. flaming banner floats 'mid darkness most profound, 
Dispelling fast the clouds like vultures hanging 'round. 
And now a giant form majestic rises there ; 
A mighty trump then sounds upon the trembling air, 
Whose notes like thunder-peals among the crags resound ; 
And like an earthquake shakes with fear the very ground. 
And then these words are heard far rolling loud and clear . 
" Hark, all ye men of earth, I bid ye me to hear ; 
The Herald of Destiny, I through the future see : — 
13e still, keep silence now, and list ye well to me." 

The Book of Fate he oped, this short exordium passed. 
And as he spake his words rang like the bugle's blast : 
"NoAV four successive empires the universal world 
Have ruled, and each by other from power such was hui-led! 



94 



THE WORLD'S 



The Babylonian first, and next the Persian vast ; 

And then the Grecian grand, next Konie, not least though last. 

Great Babylon first falls, next Persia 's with the dead; 

No more now trembles earth 'ncath Grecian phalanx' tread — 

And proud old Borne then falls — the City of Seven Hills — 

Each struggles long with Death, but dies, for God thus wills! 

" The Future's curtains dark I now shall draw aside. 
And give you but a glimpse, as time will onward glide. 
The drama 's not complete — hut four acts have been played, 
The fifth is yet to come, though for sometime delayed. 
'Tis true that kingdoms many, yes kingdoms great and small, 
Before this act comes on shall rise, but soon they'll fall. 
No universal empire the world shall ever see. 
Until established firm this last one great shall be. 



" Now in tlie northern ocean an island rears her head. 
And Albion is her name, a name to love and dread. 
But though this mighty queen a sceptre great shall wield. 
The ear'th to Iior sliall never supreme dominion j'ield. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 95 

But then this ocean queen ii danghtei' is to bear, — > 

A scion of noble stock, a creature good and fair ; 

And then the star of Progress shall westward take its way, 

And this young daughter follow its mild and golden ray. 

And in a new world vast across the rolling sea, 

«An empire she shall found ; the lifth one this will be. 

And based upon Religion — that firm, abiding rock — 

It shall all tempests scorn, nor fear the earthquake's shock. 

And as I now proclaim, let all the earth take heed, 

The last shall he the greatest, — for God has thus decreed ! " 

Conscious his words will roll e'er 'mong the hills of time 

He ceases now to speak — one moment stands sublime ! 

A cloud rests on his brow all gilt with golden light, 

Forming an awful crown, so strange, half dark, half bright ; 

Then disappears from view, as Night her curtains black 

Around the towering mount unfolds and now drops back. 

But like the circling waves, when Sinbad's eagle threw 

In the sea his rock of tons, as mad above he flew, 

Which onward, onward rushed, until they beat the land; 

Thus rolled his words alonG; like thunder wild and grand, 



96 THE WORLD'S 

Till, moving fast, they strike Eternity's far shore, 

And echoed back from thence, resound tlie world all o'er! 

" And based upon Religion — that firm, abiding rock — • 
It shall all tempests scorn, nor fear the earthquake's shock." 
And now let those among old Europe's down-trod mass, 
Who say our honest boast is but as sounding brass, 
And vow with earnestness that young Columbia fair 
Her wreath of glory, pride, will not forever wear ; — 
And let those too 'mong them, who though they tyrants hate, 
And our free land respect ; — who (when they contemplate 
Of ancient, mighty lands the grandeur and the power. 
Some living centuries long and others but an liour^ 
Still falling all at last, and lying in the dirt, 
Unable to throw off Death's bonds which them begirt) 
Then waver in their belief that our Republic great 
Can stand forever when to die seems other's fate ; — 
And if among us, too, there be a timid fcAV, 
Who casting back their eyes for i-etrospective view 
Along the vista dim of ages past away, 
And seeing mighty ruins there standing grim and gray, 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 97 

Amid mysterious gloom, like spectral giants tall, 

More awful, fearful still while robed in darkness' pall ; 

Those who, like Scipio great moved by his trance and dream, 

In strength of their own land their faith to lose would seem, 

Of sanguine nature not, revolving in the mind 

The doom which all those lands inevitably find ; 

And seeing strength depart much faster than it e'er 

Was known to come to one, experience sometimes fear 

For the eternity of their own country good. 

Thinking she may not stem the tide which none withstood — 

Who, if they had firm faith (with which poor Peter might 

Have walked the troubled seas, and felt not doubt or fright) 

Could move along serene, and hopeful faces wear. 

Instead of sinking down in absolute despair, 

Without that helping staff, when mad waves agitate 

The waters o'er which sail our glorious ship of State ! — 

Let all who doubt or fear, where'er their lot is thrown. 

Hear what to freemen bold, has long been felt and known, 

" And based upon religion — tliat firm, abiding rock — 

It shall all tempests scorn, nor fear the earthquake's shock ! " 



98 THE WORLD'S 

That rock rejected by all other buiklers, thus 
Becomes the corner's head — a base used but by us. 

Oh! yes, my countrymen, thus can ye boldly say, 
Columbia ne'er will fall — not till the Final Day. 
Here's reason for the hope, which e'er within you lies, 
As bright as brightest star, which gilds the azure skies! 
A great, inherent virtue, firm principle and strength 
Makes her exempt from death — all other's fate at length — 
Till God shall earth destroy, and hui'l its structures down, 
Low crouching in their fall before his awful frown ! 

Though Carthage, Kome,and Greece have fallen, she shall stand. 
Here differs she from them — our gi'eat, beloved land. 
Those who their bases laid and reai-ed them toward the sky 
Did not them consecrate to Lord of all on high ; 
But in //er corner-stone the Bible true was placed. 
And as the building rose its walls with texts were graced, 
And prayers were offered up that this might ever be 
A refuge for the poor — a temple Lord to Thee ! 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 99 

Without foundation sucli no land can long here stand ; 

'Twere like unto a house built not on rock but sand, 

Which, when the streams beat hard, would fall and float away 

Adown the tide which runs to Desolation's bay. 

And more especially no great Kepublic, where 

All men, as it would seem, authority must bear, — 

Where each one governs some, and walks as if a king, 

And Justice tardy may quick judgment not e'er bring; 

As in a government where one strong, single Avill 

Eules absolute, and has the power to save or kill. 

No, here there should exist the power of self-restraint 

Within the breast of each, that passion's moral taint, 

Or overwhelming tide, might fail to have effect ; 

That gross injustice, wrong, should stern rebuke expect, 

Arraigned before the great tribunal secret, bold, 

Of conscience, that strong bar more dread than that of old 

Venice, the " Ocean Queen," — the "Council of the Ten," 

Whose trials and punishments 'tis useless here to pen, 

Wrapped as is too Avell known in gloom and darkness dread, , 

Awful as that which veils the chambers of the dead! — 



100 THE WORLD'S 

Yes, power of self-restraint, offspring of Conscience, which 
Is lit with light of Truth, divine, and bright, and rich. 

Two thousand years ago old, hoary monarch Time 
A great Republic built in Grecia's golden clime, 
Upon whose massive walls were by degrees inscribed 
Morality's pure tenets, which thus her sons imbibed; 
And Wisdom's teachings good, and Virtue's doctrines true, 
And sound Philosophy's great principles they knew ; 
But founded not upon that rock we named before, 
When fierce commotion's waves its base unstable tore. 
This structure, though it reared its lofty head above 
The very clouds, fell down, and great the fall thereof. 

And not long afterwards a great Republic strong, 
Built to defy the world, was thrown to earth headlong, 
By billows wild and mad of cruel civil wars. 
Although its head sublime once struck the very stars! 
Rome, founded not upon this rock, now lay her down 
In dark ol)livion's grave, beneath Destruction's frown ! 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 101 

And sixty years ago, after a flow of blood 
Had swept o'er France, a strong, and fierce, and I'aging flood, 
And borne down in its tide all order, law, and rule. 
And whirled the wild debris in ruin's gloomy pool ; 
And all the temples grand of Justice and God too 
F Had undermined and crushed as on its billows flew, — 
As if then coming down from Heaven's high golden gate. 
To punish Gallia's sons, an avenging angel great 
Had stretched his mighty wand o'er all this wicked land, 
And then had sent on her, by God's most just command, 
A curse like that which once upon poor Egypt fell, 
When Aaron, all her sons' rebellious hearts to quell. 
Raised up his arm and smote the waters with his rod. 
And everywhere it seemed blood's demons there had trod ! — 
Yes sixty years ago after all this had been, 
A government arose conceived in wrong and sin ; 
Republican 'twas called, built on ^^ fraternal rights 
The Bible thrown aside, then all was wrapped in night ! . 
Based on the shifting sand it fell with mighty crash, 
And in its fall became a mass of ruins, trash ! 



10"2 THE WORLD'S 

And two long centuries have passed since o'er the sea, 
Our Pilgrim Fathers came, the tyrant's rod to flee. 
And in the New World vast they then commenced to build 
A monument whose fame the whole wide earth has filled, — 
A nohle monument to God and Liberty, 
Constructed by the hands of patriots great and free. 
Yes, on old Plymouth Eock they there began to rear — 
With that for solid base — their structure grand and dear; 
And still the glorious work as yet goes bravely on, 
Although two hundred years have now elapsed and gone, 
As Time's great chariot-wheels revolved on axle hot, 
His strong steeds moving e'er in long and measured trot. 
Each state is but a stone in this vast edifice; — 
Oh! what can all earth show which can compare with this? 
Yes, year by yeai", a block is added there, but still 
A century may pass before each space they fill. 
And when each stone is laid, when e'en all this is done, 
This mighty glorious woi'k will be but just begun. 
The principles and rules of science and of art, 
And maxims for the mind, and truths for mankind's heart ; 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 103 

Eeligion's doctrines great, and all real literature; 

All in philosophy or virtue good and pure; 

All that is known in state and politics, and laws, — 

In fact all that concerns humanity's great cause. 

Must on its massive walls be deep inscribed by hand 

•Of Justice and of Truth, — we think it God's command ! 

That much of this e'en now has been completed, true; 

But long as earth shall last much there will be to do. 

Hail! Monument to God and Liberty most dear; 

Temple of Knowledge rich, as firm as now stand e'er ! 

Oh ! yes, all hail to thee, great Learning's institute ! 

Before thy sculjjtured walls old EiTor stands there mute. 

Grand University for our whole human race! 

Where all may come and learn their minds and hearts to grace. 

Great oceans lave thy base, as firm as earth's and deep; — 

Thy head is bathed in clouds as fleeting past they sweep! 

Was such an edifice e'er seen, though not yet done ? 

Did such a one e'er stand beneath God's glorious sun? 

And still must we now say ^hat there are some who live 
In its broad sJiadows cool. Avhose hearts no tlio.nks would give. 



104 THE WORLD'S 



% 



No gratitude would show, for benefits received ? 
And do we speak the truth, and will it be believed 
That there are some in each extensive, prosperous state, 
W/io like mean traitors act, and like poor madmen "prate ^ 
And on the freeman's name cast thus black, foul disgrace, 
And try to pull '■'•their^'' block — Shame, blush and hide thy face — 
From this grand structure high, unconscious when one stone 
Is taken from its walls, the whole to earth is thrown, 
A mass of ruins great whose loud terrific shock 
Will crush our race and make the universe to rock ! 

Oh ! God, we trust in thee in each convulsion small 
Or great ; in mighty storm, or in the blustering squall. 
Give us e'er pilots true to guide the ship of State 
Among the treacherous rocks, and through each dangerous strait. 
Oh ! give us e'er the men who may be equal to 
All great emergencies; — who will their duty do — 
A Washington, a Scott, a Webster, or a Clay, 
As circumstances need a man to lead the way. 
Now when contentions fierce political would shake 
The glorious fabric of our commonwealth and make 



FIFTH EMPIRE. lOo 

The hopeful tremble e'en, noAv, oh ! God, give us one, 

Like old Kentucky's great and patriotic son, 

Who, when mad waves durst dash in fury and in rage 

Against his country's bark, their wrath could e'er assuage, 

As lifting up his hand commanding, he would say, 

"Hark! billows, peace, be still! " while they would him obey, 

And passive sink to rest, acknowledging the power 

Of him who them could curb, Avhile standing firm as tower 

Which, on some rocky coast, the winds and waves repel, 

Whene'er 'gainst Neptune's rule they rising up rebel. 

Yes, "founded on Eeligion — that firm, abiding rock — 

She shall all tempests scorn, nor fear the earthquake's shock." 

Yes, 'neath Jehovah's eye thus she shall stand fore'er 

Unless we recreant prove to our own interests dear, 

As ancient Israel did, whose country, firmly based 

Upon God's written Law, all dangers boldly faced, 

Till too rebellious much his chosen race became. 

And for their wickedness their land met fate the same 

As other countries, and, as prophecy had said, 

Her walls fell down before the Romans' mighty tread, 

10 



106 



THE WOKLD !S 



So that on other lay not e'en one single stone, 

And ploughed up were the sites from which they had been thrown I 

Columbia ! loved' Columbia ! thou art a nation's pride ; 
In grandeur, glory, fame, all lands thou hast defied ; — 
No equals, rivals few, e'er mayst thou hold such place, 
Great God's own glarious work, thou land of noblest race ! 
Though true that we are proud, and love to boast of thee, 
The honor we give Him who made thee such to be. 



A great king's mournful fate stands like a monument, 
Reminding us to whom we owe the glory lent. 
" Is not this Babylon, which was built strong by me. 
By my own might and power, and for my majesty ! " 
Exclaimed a monarch grand, as full of pride he walked, 
In his great palace fine, and to himself thus talked, 
While contemplating all the noble structures reared 
In strength and beauty as they to him thus appeared. 
But while the word was still in his proud mouth, there fell 
A voice from Heaven, saying, "Hark, man, to what I tell. 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 107 

Nebuchadnezzar, king, tis spoken thus to thee. 
Thy kingdom is now lost, and from men shalt thou flee. 
And make thy dwelling with the beasts that roam the field, 
Where grass, which feeds the ox, food for thee too shall yield ; 
And seven times seven shall pass o'er thee till thou doth know 
God rules empires and gives to whom he will bestow." 
And true it is that in the same hour was the thing 
Fulfilled upon this great, but proud and boastful king. 

But oh ! ray countrymen, how grateful should we be, 
That we have such a land, as this vast one we see. 
Oh ! great prerogative it is herein to live ! 
To Him all honor who doth life and being give. 
'J'hrough endless ages yet our land shall still exist 
If we in patriotism and virtue e'er persist. 
With her would die the hopes of Earth's down-trodden mass, 
Who turn their eyes to her amid their chains, alas ! 
And sigh for liberty, e'en as the prisoner sighs, 
When looking through his bars, he views the beaming skies; 
While kings and monarchs would then shout aloud for glee, 
And 'round her funeral bier dance in wild revelry. 



108 THE WORLD'S 

Thrones tremble Avhile she lives, they shook e'en at her birth, 
And well all princes know that ours would be on earth 
The last example of self-government, and hence tA 

They watch her rapid growth with jealousy intense, 

Uneasy ivhen they see the giantess (/tow fust; 
Rejoicing ivhen they see dissension'' s seeds broadcast. 

Oh! then, my countrymen, let not discord and strife 
Divide our glorious land, take Liberty's dear life. 
Oh! whisper not "disunion," oh ! utter not such cry — 
It makes the patriot grieve, it makes the angel sigh ! 
A grander destiny awaits Columbia's pride. 
For she is to extend her domain far and wide, 
And by her great example to conquer all the world. 
Until old Tyranny from every throne is hurled, 
And Knowledge to and fi'o has run and been increased. 
And Sin's and Error's rule upon our globe has ceased! 
Years after years may pass and centuries roll away ; 
All other lands may fall, their glory fade from day ; 
Even the mother-country, the one who gave her birth, 
But she shall ever stand, God's own firm throne on earth, 



FIFTH EMPIRE. 109 

Till the Lion of Judali's tribe cloth open the sixth seal, 
And lo! an earthquake great its terrors wild reveal; 
And the sun becomes as black as sackcloth of hair, e'en ; 
The moon a pool of blood losing its silver sheen; 
And to the earth the stars from their sky headlong fall, 
As fig-tree casts her figs, untimely in the squall ; 
And the heavens disappear as a scroll together rolled ; 
And mountains, islands all, are moved from place they hold; 
And kings of earth, men great, the rich men, and the chief 
Captains, and mighty men, and bond, and free, in reef 
And den themselves there hide, and to the mountains say, 
" Fall on us, hide us from the face of Him alway 
Upon the golden throne; alas! conceal us from 
The Lamb's avenging wrath, for his wrath's day has come! 
Before his angry frown who able now to stand?" — 
Then, not till then, shall fall our great and glorious land. 

But till that day, e'en that, shall stand this mighty land. 
Like giant mountain-cliff colossal, firm, and grand, 
Around whose hoary head the vivid lightnings play. 
Gilding his crown of clouds Avith fire of diamond ray ; 



110 THE FIFTH EMPIRE. 

While all the storms that beat his rock-ribbed sides, but make 

More adamantine still, yet ever fail to shake — 

While Ocean's phalanx waves are thrown in disarray, 

And scattered to the winds, mere mists, are blown away 

As flying swift along like cavalry in charge 

In wrath the foam they cast from jaws distended, large, 

And strive to batter down this bulwark of the land, 

That they may overrun, like dragoons sword in hand — 

While to the earthquake's great, invisible, strange power, 

Which hurls down in its march man's strongest wall and tower. 

The veteran nods his head, inclines his mighty form, — 

But not because he fears the subterranean storm — 

As monarch monarch gives in honor a compliment, 

Kespectful recognition ; — thus is his body bent ! 

Until the Lord's day come, e'en as a thief in night, 
And the heavens pass away with great noise and affright; 
Until the elements shall melt with fervent heat, 
And earth and works tlierein by fire their last end meet — 
Yes, till that day, e'en that, shall stand this mighty land, 
Like giant mountain-ciiff colossal, firm, and grand ! 



MY MOTHER, 



"A mother is a mother still, 
The holiest thing alive." 

COLERICSK. 



My Mother dear, 
I draw me near 
To talk with you, and round your neck 
To throw my arms, where oft I've hung 
In infancy, — where tight I've clung 
When little terrors frightened me; 
As trembling vine will hug its tree, 
When earth mad Giant Storm would wreck! 



112 MY MOTHER. 

My Mother sweet, 

As now you greet 

My unexpected book you see, 

Know that, perhaps, 'tis owed to you. 
That these poetic flowers we view, 
'Neath your approving smile so kind, 
E'er grew from buds whicli filled my mind ; 
The honor's yours — if honor be. 

My Mother dear, 
Think this not queer. 
For I but give you credit due : 
Cannot remember many a time. 
When I'd bring you my childlike rhyme. 
You me would help, encourage: — "Fine! 
My Jamie, you are bound to shine ! " — 
And then would you correct it through. 



MY MOTHER. 113 

My Mother mild, 
When I, a child, 
My little, boyish pranks would play, 
But seldom would a darksome frown 
Fall with its chilling shadow down 
Upon my spirits' sparkling stream 
Lit bright with young life's joyous gleam ; — 
You loved to see me free and gay. 

My Mother firm,— 
I justly term 
You thus — quite resolute, not rash; 
For true, by nature though you be 
Most mild, with gentle heart and free, 
Yet when stern Duty gives her call, 
You stand as firm as granite wall, 
'Gainst which in vain the billows dash. 



114 MY MOTHEE. 

My Mother learned, 
With mind well turned 
And studded thick with gems of thought, 
Where poetry's flowers all gaily bloom, 
And shed around their rich perfume, 
You have an intellect deep, strong, — • 
Through which bright ideas trip along, — 
And with true Learning's precepts fraught. 

My Mother kind. 
You are not blind 
To poverty; — although descent 

Through long and honored, noble race 
Is traced ; — though you have wealth and place. 
You spurn not poor ; for once, you tell. 
Misfortune on your family fell. 
And the golden bird flapped wings and went. 



MY MOTHER. 116 

My Mother true, 
I ne'er one knew 
Who had herself more faithful shown 
In all relations of this life, — 
A truer or more faithful wife, — 
Or mother, sister, Christian too; — 
As all these you your duty do. 
Truth has in your true heart a throne. 

My Mother good. 
Oh ! that there would 
Be more such Christians, as you here, 

In this cold, strange, and troubled world, 
In which life's bark is often whirled. 
As a ship in Norway's maelstrom wild; — 
But Christ your pilot, faithful child 
Of his, oh ! nothing do you fear. ^ 



116 MY MOTHER. 

My Mother gay, 
Although the day 
Of your bright youth has long passed by, 
The gayest of the gay I trow 
You are when joy sits on the brow, 
And Wit from his electric hand 
Through willing minds of social band 
Sends meteoric sparks to fly. 

My Mother old,— 
But this I hold 
In years, not in your feelings, no, — 
Time's cunning hand yet fails to rob 
The warm and sympathetic tlirob 
From your kind heart — no heart of steel, 
It for the bright and young can feel ; — ^ 
Oh! may it never older grow! 



MY MOtHEK. 117 

My Mother dear, 
I draw me near 
To talk with you, and round your neck 
To throw my arms, Avhere oft I've hung 
In infancy, — where tight I've clung 
When little terrors frightened me ; 
As trembling vine will hug its tree, 
When earth mad Giant Storm would wreck ! 



THE HARP OF A THOUSAND STRINGS. 



If in this world of ours there be a liarp 
Strung with a thousand strings, the human heart 
Must be tliat harp, from whose mysterious chords, 
When struck by liand of a skillful player, roll 
Those notes so varied and innumerable. 
Which whisper of tlie hopes and fears, the woes 
And joys, that ofttimes swell within the soul 
Of mortal man. 

Down in old Ocean's caves 
Glow pearls, which none but artful diver e'er 
May bring to light of day ; and from the deep 



THE HARP OF A THOUSAND STRINGS. 119 

, Depths of the organ grand, which stands beneath 
The gothic arcli of some cathedral old — 
A monument of ages past — may he, 
Whose soul 's been bathed in music's fount by his 
Own muse, bring forth those sparkling gems of sound, 
, Those solemn tones and sweet, melodious notes, 
Which, rise majestic up to Heaven's bright gates. 
And twining round the silver chords with which 
The human heart is strung, as gi'owing vines 
Cling to their slender twigs, is melody, 
Such as none ever may bring forth save the great 
Musician of the soul, the Poet, who 
Although upon the earth, doth yet from his 
'High stand-point there look down, external horn, the world — 
The Poet who can soothe, caress, excite, 
Inspire, as with the magic, skillful touch 
His practiced hand steals gently o'er, or flies. 
Like lightning's flash through high sky's azure vault. 
Along this deep and thousand-chorded, heaven-strung 
Instrument; and thus produces feelings, 



120 THi: HARP OF A THOUSAND STlilNGS. 

Emotions, corresponding with liis own ; 

E'en till in unison, sweet harmony 

So beautiful, its every string strikes with 

His breathing harp's each chord, — such sympathy! — 

The Poet, the heart's interpreter ; yes, he 

Whose piercing, eagle eye may penetrate 

Into the central depths of heart within 

A heart, and read and teach to other souls 

Those thoughts, those passions deep, which many oft 

May feel and know, but few can e'er express. — 

The Poet who from nature locketh up 

To nature's God ; yes, gazetli from the eartii 

To Heaven, speaking for strange mortality 

To its Creator the "thoughts that breathe and words 

That burn," in language such as angels use. 



TO MY NIECE. 

LINES ADDRESSED TO MY NIECE, 
UPON HEK SEVENTEENTH BIRTHDAY. 

O, Marj dear! 

Another year 
Has come, has waned, has passed ; 

i\.nd "sweet sixteen," 

That garland green, 
Has faded now at last ! 

Thy childhood soon — 

That happy boon — 
Will womanhood assume, 

As half-blown rose 

Soon bursts and grows 
Into perfection's bloom ! 
11 



122 TO MY NIECE. 



But though a child 
So bright and wild, 



Not long thou still wilt be ; 

Yet ever may 

Thy spirits gay 
Be light as now and free ! 

'Tis true thy heart, 

Affliction's dart 
Has oft pierced through and through; 

Yet still that sting 

Time's soothing wing 
Has fanned and healed anew. 

'Tis true thy head. 

Before Death's tread, 
In grief and sorrow deep, 

Has bowed as flower 

On Nature's bower 
Before the storm's wild sweep ! — 



TO MY NIECE, 123 

Yet like that flower, 

By God's own power 
Thy face again did rise 

To smile, and thus 

To gladden us, — 
To cheer us with bright eyes. 

We love thy smile 

So void of guile ; 
Thy heart sincere and free; — 

The same gay child, 

So bright and wild. 
Oh! couldst thou ever be ! 

A gushing stream 

With sparkling gleam 
All through thy heart there flows ; 

And on its shore 

With head di'ooped o'er 
A smiling blossom grows. 



124 TO MY NIECE. 

What flower is this. 
Which oft doth kiss 

Those waters wild and free ? 
That flower is love. 
Brought from above, — 

That love is love for me ! 

A gushing stream 
With sparkling gleam 

All through my heart there flows ; 
And on its shore 
With head drooped o'er 

A smiling blossom grows. 

What flower is this, 
Which oft doth kiss 

Those waters wild and free ? 
That flower is love, 
Brought from above, — 

That love is love for thee! 



TO MY NIECE. 125 

Those rich, dear flowers 

From Heaven's own bowers 
Some angel bright placed there. 

Oh ! may their bloom 

And sweet perfume 
Our hearts forever bear ! 



DAR-THULA. 



" It may not be improper here to give the story which is the foundation of 
this poem, as it is handed down by tradition. Usnoth, lord of Etha, which is 
probably that part of Argyleshire which is near Loch Eta, an arm of the sea 
in Lorn, had three sons, Nathos, Althos, and Ardan, by Slissama, the daugh- 
ter of Semo, and sister to the celebrated Cathullin. The three brothers, 
when very young, were sent over to Ireland by their father, to learn the use 
of arms under their uncle Cathullin, who made a great figure in that king- 
dom. They were just landed in Ulster when the news of Cathullin's death 
arrived. Nathos though very young, took the command of Cathullin's army, 
made head against Cairbar the usurper, and defeated him in several battles. 
Cairbar at last, having found means to murder Cormac, the lawful king, 
the army of Nathos shifted sides, and he himself was obliged to return into 
Ulster, in order to pass over into Scotland. 

Dar-thula, the daughter of Colla, with whom Cairbar was in love, resided 
at that time in Selama, a castle in Ulster. She saw, fell in love, and fled with 
Nathos; but a storm rising at sea, they were unfortunately driven back ou 
that part of the coast of Ulster where Cairbar was encamped with his army. 

The three brothers, after having defended themselves for some time with 
great bravery, were at last overpowered and slain, and the unfortunate Dar- 
thula killed herself upon the body of her beloved Nathos. 

The poem opens on the night preceding the death of the sous of Usnoth, 
and brings in, by way of episode, what passed before. It relates the death of 
Dar-thula differently from the common tradition. This account is the most 
probable, as suicide seems to have been iinknoAvn in those early times, no 
traces of it being found in the old poetry." 

* See Preface. 



DAR-THULA. 127 



" The hai'p iu Selma was not idly strung; 
And long shall last the themes our poet sung." 



O moon ! daughter of high heaven, fair art thou ! 
Pleasant the silence of thy face, as now 
In all thy loveliness thou dost step out, 
The stars attending thy smooth, azure route. 
Rejoice all the clouds in thy presence bright, 
Their dark-brown sides glowing beneath thy light. 
Lamp of still night, who like thee in the sky? 
Before thy face the stars ashamed are shy, 
And turn away their sparkling eyes. 

But say, 
Whither dost thou retire from thy course alway. 
When darksome then thy countenance doth grow ? 
Hath thou a hall, like Ossian, where thou mayest go ? 
Dwellest thou in the shadow of grief's black frown? 
Have thy sisters fallen from high Heaven down? 



128 DAR-THULA. 

Are they, who once rejoiced with thee no more? 
Ah! yes, fair light, and thou dost mourn them sore. 
But thou one night shalt leave thy blue path too ; 
And then the stars will lift their heads anew ; 
And they who were ashamed again feel joy ; 
But thou hast brightness now without alloy. 
Burst the clouds, O wind, that this daughter fair 
Of night may now look forth from her course there. 
And all the shaggy mountains thus grow bright ; 
And ocean roll its snowy waves in light ! 
Nathos and Althos, beams of youth, now steer 
The deep ; and Ardan is his brothers near. 
But then what form is that dim by their side. 
Whose beauty thus the darksome night doth hide? 
On ocean's growing wind her soft hair sighs ; 
While her long robe in dusky wreaths light flies. 
She 's like Heaven's spirit fair 'mid shadowy mist ! 
Save Dar-thula, Erin's first maid, who is 't ? 
From Cairbar's love with Nathos doth she flee. 
The winds, Dar-thula, have deceived now thee ; 



DAR-THULA. 129 

They woody Etlia to tliy sails deny. 

These are not thy loved hero's mountains high ; 

Nor is that sound his climbing waves' roar clear : 

Cairbar's hills are nigh ; their forms his towers rear ; 

Erin her head extends into the sea; 

Tura's bay the ship receives. Where have ye 

Been, ye southern winds, deceiving thus her love? 

Chasing the thistle's beard the plains above ? 

Oh ! that ye had been rustling in this sail, 

Till Etha's hills arose their chief to hail ! 

From home long absent, Natlios, hast been thou ; 

Alas ! the day of thy return 's passed now ! 

But lovely to a strange land didst thou appear, 

Lovely in the eyes of thy Dar-thula dear. 

Thy face was like the morning's golden light ; 

Thy hair as black as raven's wing of night ; 

Thy soul like the hour of setting sun did seem ; 

Thy words were reeds' wind — Lora's gliding stream ! 

But when war rose thou wast a sea in storm ! 

The clang of thy arms was terrible ; the swarm 

12 



l;^0 DAR-TIIULA. 

Vanislied away at sound of thy course bold. 
Dar-tlmla did at such time thee behold, 
As she on top of her mossy tower knelt — 
Selama's tower strong, where her fathers dwelt, 

"O stranger!" cried she, "thou art lovely there," 
For her trembling soul arose, "thou art fair 
In battle thou friend of fallen Cormac dead. 
Why dost thou in tliy wild valor rush ahead ? 
Why onward rush, youth of the ruddy cheek ? 
Against dark-brown Cahbar thy hands are weak! 
Oh! that I might now from his love be free, 
And in the presence of Nathos e'er happy be ! 
Blest Etha's rocks! his steps at the chase they'll know, 
See his white breast, when winds his long hair blow." 
Dar-thula, in Selama's mossy tower 

Thus didst thou speak — but round thee night doth lower; 
The winds have now deceived thy sails, and high 
Their roar. O north wind, cease to whistle by, 
Awhile, that I may hear that lovely one ; — 
Thy words arc sweet wlien 'tween the blasts they run. 



DAR-THULA. 131 

"Are these the rocks of Nathos?" then said she, 
" This the roaring of his streams wild and free ? 
From Usnoth's nightly hall comes that light's bar? 
The mist spreads round, the beam is distant far. 
But the light of thy Dar-thula's soul doth dwell 
In thee, chief of old Etha great ; — - but tell, 
Son of kind Usnoth, why that broken sigh ? 
Are we in strange land, son of Etha, aye ? " 

"These are not rocks of Natlios," he replied, 
"And neither is this the roar of his stream wide; 
No light from Etha's hall, from this place far. 
'Tis a strange land — land of the fierce Cairbar ! 
The winds are false to us, Dar-thula dear ; 
Old Erin lilts her shaggy hills but here ; — 
Althos, up toward the north thou now must go : 
Thy steps, Ardan, along the coast, lest foe 
In darkness come, and hopes of Etha die. 
Toward yonder mossy tower go now will I 
To ascertain who near that beam may dwell. 
Dar-thula on this shore in peace rest well, 



132 DAR-THULA. 

Thou lovely light ! for Nathos' swortl around 
Thee flashes, like the lightning in its wild bound ! " 

He went ; but she there sat alone to hear 
The rolling of the wave. The big, salt tear 
Falls, as for Nathos now she looks steadfast ; 
Trembles her soul before the mighty blast ! 
She turns her ear toward his far off footfall ; 
That distant tread she hears not now at all. 
"Where art thou, oh! where, son of my love? 
The wild wind howls around thee and above ; 
Dark is the hour, but he returns not yet. 
What keeps thee, Etha's chief, and have foes met 
The hero in the strife of this night black ? " 

He came — but dark his face as he walked back. 
For he had seen his lost friend, loved, well-known ; — 
'Twas Tura's wall ; Cathullin's ghost alone 
Stalked there ; and from his breast fell frequent sigh ; 
Terrible the decayed flame of his stern eye ! 
A column of light mist was his long spear; 
And through his dim form did the stars appear ; 



' DAR-THULA. 133 

His voice like the hollow wind in some dark cave, — 

His eye like light afar, — grief's tale he gave. 

And sad was Nathos' soul as the sun in a day 

Of mist, when watery is his face and gray. 

"Why, Nathos, dost thou stand sad, mournful there?" 
^ Of him asks Colla's lovely daughter fair. 

"A pillar of light unto Dar-thula, thou ; 

In Etha's chief the joy of her eye is now. 

Save Nathos loved, oh, where have I a friend ? 

My father's, brother's life is at an end! 

Upon Selama's halls doth silence brood; 

My land's blue streams with sadness dark are strewed ; 

With Corma-c fell those whom I loved, and all ; 
, In Erin's battles those strong men did fall. 

Hear me, O son of mighty Usnoth ; hear, 

Nathos, my tale of grief so sad and drear. 

"Evening darkened upon the plain, — the blue 

Streams gliding swift then failed from human view ; 

While ever and anon the wild blasts strove, 

Rustling through the top of old Selama's grove. 



134 DAE-THULA. 

I sat 'neath a tree upon my fathers' wall ; 
Truthil before my soul passed in death's pall, — 
The brother of my love, he who afar 
In battle fought against the proud Cairbar. 
The gray-haired Colla came, bent on his spear ; 
Dark was his downcast face, and sorrow drear 
Dwelt in his soul. Upon his side was placed 
The sword, — his head his father's helmet graced ; 
In his strong breast the burning battle grew ; 
But rising tears he strove to hide from view. 

'"Dar-thula, oh! my daughter! ' then he said, 
'Thou'rt last of CoUa's race, — Truthil is dead! 
And toward Selama's walls Cairbar doth stride 
With thousands strong ; but I will meet his pride, 
Revenging thus my son ; but safety where 
For thee, Dar-thula, with the dark-brown hair? 
Lovely art thou as tlie sunbeam of Heaven high ; 
But thy friends are low ! ' 

"With bursting sigh, 
I said, 'has the son of battle gone^true? 
And ceased the gemrous soul of Truthil through 



DAR-THULA. 135 

The field of war to lighten with its glow? 
My safety, Colla, then, is in my how ! 
Father of Truthil dead, the deer I pierce ; 
Like the desert's hart is not Cairbar tierce ? ' 

"The face of age with joy did then grow briglit; 
From his eyes crowded tears poured down ariglit. 
The lips of Colla trembled. 

'"Thou art,' said he, 
' The sister of Truthil, — in fire of his soul free 
Thou burn'st. Take, Dar-thula, take that spear ; 
That brazen shield ; that burnished helm, spoils here 
Of a warrior strong, an early youth's loved son. 
As soon as light on Sehima hath begun 
To rise, to meet car-borne Cairbar we start; 
From shadow of my shield do not depart. 
My child, thy father thee could once defend ; 
But old age trembling doth his liand attend ; 
And now the strength of his old arm hath failed; — 
His soul is dark by heavy grief assailed.' 

"In sorrow's shadows drear we passed the night. 
But when arose tlie morning's golden light, 



136 DAR-THULA. 

I shone in arms of battle Avliicli I bore. 
The ancient, gray-haired hero moved before ; 
Selama's sons stood round old Colla's shield ; 
Their locks were white, and few were in the field. 
The youths with Truthil fell the day before 
In car-borne Cor mac's bloody battle sore." 

'"'Twas not thus,' said Colla, 'my youth's friends dear, 
Ye have long since seen me in arms appear ; 
When great Confaden fell, not thus I strode 
To war. But ye are laden with grief's load; 
Darkness of age, like the desert's mist comes on. 
My shield is worn with years o'er it long drawn ; 
My trusty sword is fixed in its own place ; * 
I told my soul calmness its eve should grace ; 
Its departure be like to a fading light ; — 
But the storm affain hath come in all its mio-ht. 
My tottering form bends as an aged oak ; 
On Selama's walls my boughs are fallen, broke ; 

* In ancieut times it was customary for the warrior at a certain age, or when 
he became unfit for service, to hang up his arms in the great hall, intending 
never afterward to appear in battle; and this stage of life was called "time 
of fixing the arms." 



DAR-THULA. 137 

I tremble in my place. O, where art tliou, 
With thy dead heroes, my loved Truthil, now? 
Thou answerest not from out thy rushing Iblast. 
Thy father's soul is sad, — this must not last. 
Cairbar, or Colla, one must fall ; for I 
Feel the returning strength in my arm lie ! 
My heart leaps wildly at the war's fierce sound.' 
"The hero drew his sword; his people round 
Raised gleaming blades, and moved the plain along, 
Their gray hair streaming in the high wind strong. 
Feasting Cairbar sat. In still Lena's plain 
He saw the coming of the heroes' train. 
And called his men to war. Why should I to 
Thee, Natlios, tell how strife of battle grew ? 
For I have seen thee 'mid a mighty throng. 
Like Heaven's lightning swift flashing bright along. 
So beautiful, but terrible also. 
As mortals in its dreadful course fall low ! 
Flew Colla's spear, as he recalled again 
The battles of his youth. An arrow then 



138 DAK-THULA. 

Whizzed tlirougli the air, and pierced the hero's side ; 

On his echoing shield he fell — and died ! 

Leaped my soul Avith fear ; mine over him to screen 

I stretched; hut then my heaving breast was seen! 

Cairbar came with his spear ; Selama's maid 

He saw, and on his swarthy face joy played ; 

His lifted steel was stayed. 

He Colla's tomb 
Raised, and to Selama brought me in gloom. 
Words of love he spoke, but my soul was sad — 
I saw the bucklers which my fathers had ; 
I saw the sword of car-borne Truthil dear; 
I saw the arms of all my dead ; — the tear 
Was on my cheek. Then didst thou come to me, 
Nathos, and oft did saddened Cairbar flee. 
As from the morning's beam the desert's ghost 
Will flee away, he fled ; — far ofl" his host ; 
And feeble was his arm against thy steel. 
Why gloomy, sad, O ! Nathos, dost thou feel ? " 
"War in my youth I've met," the hero said; 
"My arm, when danger flrst did raise its head. 



DAR-THULA. 139 

Could not lift the spear. But my soul then e'en 
Grew bright in presence of the war, as the green, 
Narrow vale, when sun his warm beams doth throw. 
Before in storm his head he hideth low ! — 
The lone traveler then mournful joy may feel 
As darkness slowly doth itself reveal. 
Brightened my soul 'mid danger's cruel stare, 
Before I e'en saw thee, Selama's fair ! — 
Saw thee like a star that shines o'er hill at night ; 
Advancing clouds threatening the lovely light ! 
We're in foes' land, — deceived the winds have thus, 
Dar-thula. Strength of friends is not near us. 
Nor Etha's mountains high. Where shall I find 
Peace for the daughter of Colla great and kind. 
Nathos' brothers both are brave, and his own 
Gleaming sword, too, hath oft in battle shone. 
But compared to hosts of dark-brown Cairbar, 
What are Usnoth's sons ? Oh ! that winds thus far, 
Oscar, king of men, had thy sails brought now ; 
At Cormac's war to be didst promise thou. 



140 DAR-THULA. 

Then would my hand be strong as the flaming arm 
Of death, and Cairbar shake for fear of harm ; 
And round Dar-thula peace should never fail. 
Heart, why sink? Usnotli's sons may yet prevail." 

"And they will prevail, 01 Natlios," spoke 
The maiden's soul, as it from calm awoke. 
"Halls of gloomy Cairbar! Dar-thula ne'er 
Shall thee behold. Those brazen arms hand here. 
Which glitter to the meteor passing by ; 
Them in the dark-bosomed ship I dimly spy. 
In battle fierce of steel Dar-thula, too. 
Will go. Ghost of the noble CoUa! do 
I see thee in that cloud ? And who dim there 
Stands by thy side? — the car-borne Truthil fair? — 
See halls of Iiim who slew Selama's chief! 
Spirit of my love! no — 'tis my belief." 

Joy rose in Nathos' face, when he had heard 
The fair, white-bosomed maid speak thus her word. 

"O! daughter of Selama, sliinest thou 
Along my soul ! Come with thy thousands now, 



,* 



DAR-THULA. 141 

Cairbair! — tlie strength of Nathos dotli return. 
1 aged Usnotli, tliou slialt never learn 
Thy son hath fled. Thy words on Etha high 
I know, when first my sails began to fly 
Toward Erin, and toward Tura's walls, then spread. 

" ' Thou goest, Nathos, to the king of shields ;' he said, 
' Thou goest unto Cathullin, chief of men, 
Who ne'er yet from danger fled. Let not then 
Thine arm be feeble, nor have thoughts of flight ; 
Lest Semo's son say Etha's race are slight. 
His words might reach Usnoth's unwilling ear. 
And sadden then his soul in his hall here.' 
Upon my father's cheek the big tear lay ; 
He gave this sword ; — I came to Tura's bay. 
But lo ! the halls of Tura silent were. 
I looked around, and none to tell was there 
Of Semo's generous son. I went to the hall 
Of shells, where hung his fathers' arms, but all 
Were gone, and aged Lamhor dropped his tear, 

" 'Whence these arms of steel?' said he, arising near, 



142 DAR-THULA. 

' Long bath the spear's liglit now been absent from 
Old Tura's dusky halls. From rolling sea ye come? 
Or from Temora's mournfal hall ? ' 

'"We come from sea,' 
Said I, ' from Usnoth's rising towers ; — sons are we 
Of Slissama, Semo's daughter. But thou 
Son of silent halls, Tura's chief 's where now ? 
Still why should Nathos thus inquire of thee. 
For he beholds thy tears, — but tell how he 
Did fall, the strong, thou son of Tura lone. 

'"Like a silent star of niglit, when it hath flown 
Through dark, and is no more, — not thus lie fell. 
He was like the meteor bright, which doth impel j 
Itself along into some land afar. 
Its course death attending — a sign of war! 
Sad are Lego's banks and streamy Lara's sound. 
Where the son of noble Usnotli struck the ground.' 

" 'The hero fell amid- the slaughtering throng; 
Ever in battle fierce his hand was strong,' 
Said I to him, with a deep and bursting sigh — 
'Death dimly sat behind his sword e'er nigli.' 



DAR-THULA. 143 

"We came to Lego's sounding banks and found 
His tomb. His friends in war were on the ground, 
The bards of song. Three days did we then yield 
To grief there; — on the fourth struck I Caitlibat's shield. 
The heroes gathered round in joy and glee, 
Brandishing tlieir beamy spears. Corlath, the 
Friend of car-borne Cairbar, with host was near. 
We came as a stream doth in the night appear; 
Before us then his heroes fell. 

"And when 
The people of the valley came, they then 
Saw their red blood the morning's light beneath ! 
But we rolled away, as the thin mist's Avreath, 
To Cormac's echoing halls. Our swords we there 
Raised to guard the king ; but those halls were bare. 
Cormac was dead, and Erin's king no more ! 
The sons of Erin sadness overbore. 
Like clouds which long have threatened rain, then go 
Behind the hills, they gloomy now retired slow. 
Toward Tura's sounding bay thus in grief drear 
]\Ioved Usnoth's sons, and passed Selama near. 



144 DAR-THULA. 

As Lena's mist flees winds did Cairbar flee. 
Twas tlien that I beheld, Dar-thula, thee, 
Like the light of Etha's sun. 'Lovely,' said I, 
'Is that beam,' and rose from my breast the sigh. 
Fair didst thou come to me, Dar-thula dear, — 
But winds have us deceived. The foe is near! " 
"Yes, near," said Althos in his rushing might, 
"On shore I heard the clanging of their arms bright; 
I saw the dark wreaths of Erin's standards near. 
The voice of Cairbar was distinct and clear. 
As loud as Cromla's falling stream. He'd seen 
The dark ship on the sea ere black night, e'en. 
His people watch on Lena's dusky plain, and hold 
Ten thousand swords." 

"And let them there," said bold 
Nathos, with a smile, "hold their swords, for sure 
Usnoth's sons do tremble not at danger's door! 
Why with thy foam roll, Erin's roaring sea ? 
Why do ye rustle on thy dark wings, ye 
Whistling storms of sky? And do ye think, O 
&)torms, ye keep Nathos on this coast ? — ah ! no, 



DAR-THULA. 145 

His soul detains him, children of the night ! 
Althos bring my father's arms, which there bright 
Thou seest beaming to the stars; and Semo's spear 
Also, in the dark-bosomed ship bring here." 

^ The arms he brought, and then did Nathos hide 

His limbs in all their shining steel. The stride 

Of the chief was noble : the joy of his eyes 

Was terrible ; and for Cairbar he spies. 

The blowing wind was rustling in his hair. 

Dar-thula silent at his side stood there. 

She viewed the chief, but strove to hide the sigh; 

Yet still the tear swelled in her radiant eye. 
^ "Althos I see a cave in yon rock bare," — 

Said Etha's chief, "place my Dar-thula there. 

And let thy arm my brother be strong now; — - 

Ardan, we meet the foe, call Cairbar, thou. 

May he come Usnoth's son to meet in all 

His steel bright ; — 

"Dar-thula, shouldst thou not fall, 

Look not on Nathos low; — 



146 DAR-THULA. 

"Make thy sails stand, 
Althos, toward the ringing groves of my own land ! 
Tell the chief that his son fell with fame ; 
That his sword did not shun the fight in shame, 
So that the joy amid his grief be great ; — 
Daughter of Colla, in Etha's hall in state 
Call the maids there, and let their songs rise then 
For Nathos, Avhen Autumn shadowy comes again. 
Oh! that the voice of Cona, that Ossian's might 
In my praise be heard! — then would my spirit bright 
In midst of rushing winds rejoice alway." — 

"And thus my voice shall praise thee, Nathos, yea. 
Chief of the woody Etha! In thy praise. 
Son of Usnoth, Ossian will his voice raise. 
Why was I not there at war's first alarm ? 
Ossian would have died or kept thee from harm ! " 

We sat in Selma's hall the shell around ; 
And through the lofty oaks the wind did sound. 



DAR-THULA. 147 

Then roared the spirit of the mountain tall, 
Touching my harp. The blast came through the hall, 
Like song of the tomb, — the sound was mournful, low. 
Fingal first heard, and crowded did his sighs go 
From his bosom. 

" Some of my heroes lie 
Dead," said the gray-haired king of Morven, " I 
The sound of death upon the harp hear now. 
Ossian, my son, the trembling strings touch thou. 
Bid the sorrow rise, that their loved spirits freed 
To Morven's hills with joy may fly in speed." 

I touched the harp before the king, — mournful, soft 
Its tone. "Bend forward from your clouds aloft," 
Said I, "Ghosts of my fathers! lay aside 
The terror of your course, as swift ye ride. 
Receive now the fallen chief, whether from 
A distant land or rolling sea he come. 
Place near his robe of mist and cloud-formed spear. 
Let a half-extinguished meteor there appear 
In shape of this great hero's sword — and oh! 
Let now his countenance be lovely so. 



148 DAR-THULA. 

That in his presence may delight each friend ;— 
Bend from thy clouds, ghosts of my fathers, bend ! " 
Thus sang I to the harp trembling soft and light ;- 
But Nathos was on Erin's shore in night ! 
'Mid tumbling waves the foe's voice did he hear; 
He silent heard, and rested on his spear. 
With light rose morning,— Erin's sons were seen. 
Like to gray rocks, with all their trees of green, 
They spread along the coast. Cairbar the while 
Stood there, and seeing foes, did grimly smile. 
Nathos rushed forward in his strength and might ; 
Nor could Dar-thula stay behind the fight. 
With shining spear she came there by his side. 
And who are there in armor and youth's pride? 
Who but Usnoth's sons, Althos, and 
Dark-haired Ardan? 

"Come Temora's chief, stand 
Here now," said Nathos, "and let our fight be 
On this coast for the dark-bosomed maid we see. 
His people with Nathos are not, but now 
Are behind tliesc rolling seas. Why dost thou 



DAR-THULA. 149 

'Gainst Etha's chief bring thousands ? Thou didst fly 
From him in battle when his friends were nigh." 

"Proud youth! shall Erin's king fight with thee then! 
Thy fathers renowned were not, nor kings of men. 
Are foes' arms within their halls, or ancient shields? 
Cairbar is famed in high Temora's fields ; 
Nor does he fight with feeble men." The tear 
Started from Nathos. Toward his brothers near 
He turned his eyes. Their spears at once all flew ; 
And heroes three lay dead. Their swords then threw 
Their light on high ; and Erin's ranks fell back, 
As ridge of clouds before the wild wind's track. 

His men Cairbar then ordered, and they drew 
A thousand bows, — a thousand arrows flew, 
Usnoth's sons falling in their blood ; like three 
Young oaks which stand alone on some hill. TJie 
Traveler views these fine trees, and wonders how 
They grew so lone. But desert's blast comes now. 
Laying them low. Next day returning there. 
He finds them withered and the heath all bare ? — 



150 DAR-TIIULA. 

Dar-thula sees tliem fall, standing in grief drear ; 
Wildly sad her gaze, although she drops no tear ; 
Pale is her look ; her trembling lips short break 
The half-formed words ; on the winds her locks do shake. 
Gloomy Cairbar came. "Where thy lover now. 
Car-borne chief of Etha ? Beheld hast thou 
Usnotli's halls, or Fingal's dark-brown liills? Yet 
If the winds had Dar-thula not thus met, 
On Morven e'en my battle soon would roar ; 
Fingal lie low — grief enter Selma's door!" 
Her shield fell from Dar-thula's arm. Appeared 
Her fair, white breast, but it with blood was smeared ! 
An arrow in her side was fixed, and low 
She fell on Nathos, like a wreath of snow ! 
Over his face her flowing hair spreads wide, — 
Their blood thus mixes 'round from side to side ! 

"Daughter of Colla! maiden, low art thou!" 
Sang Cairbar's hundred bards. " Broods silence now 
O'er Selama's streams ; and Truthil's race 
Hath failed. When wilt thou rise in beauty, grace. 



DAR-THULA. 151 

Chief of Erin's maids? Long in the cold tomb 

Thy sleep. In distance far doth morning loom. 

The sun shall not to thy bed come and say, 

Wake, Dar-thula first of women — 'tis day. 

The winds of Spring are here. Upon the hills green 

The flowers now shake their heads. The woods are seen 

To wave their growing leaves. 

Sun retire thou! 
The daughter of Colla is sleeping now ! 
For she will not come forth in beauty's dress. 
She will not move in steps of loveliness." 



A PRAYER FOR MARY. 

LINES ADDRESSED TO MY COUSIN, 

O, Mary clear, may each new year 
Shower rich hlessings on thy head ; 

And the deep blue eye of yon soft sky 
Cheerful light upon thee shed ! 

In a quaint book old a tale is told 

Of a garden rich and bright, 
Where Nature's smiles free of all wiles, 

Blossomed sweet in golden light ; 



A PRAYEK FOR MARY. 15lJ 

Where gay birds flew, of rainbow hue, 

To gladden the ear and eye; 
Where placid stream with silver gleam 

Mirrored true the azure sky; 

And a joyous pair of creatures fair 

Lived in happiness and love. 
Oh! such to thee may this earth be. 

Reflecting yon Heaven above ! 

And may'st thou long amid love's throng, 

Live to bless and to be blessed ; 
And wend thy way 'mong rich flowers gay 

To that home of peace and rest. 

But should Woe's dart pierce through thy heart, 

And Sorrow her gloom throw o'er, 
May angels bright, with wings of light. 

Fan that aching heart and cure! 

14 



THE OCEAN GRAVE. 

lOlJ M\ MSTEi; M'S SCKAI'-BOOK. 

Eae, far ti-oiii the land on the vast, mighty deep, 
Where the white foaming waves and the grand billows sweep, 
With gay streamers sails a good vessel strong, 
Far dashing the spray while darting along ! 
A youth rapt in dream there on the deck lies ; 
Far absent his thoughts, as sleep seals his eyes. 
Away o'er the sea his ship has now sailed; 
He has arrived safe, his Lillie has hailed. 
And then by her side he thinks he sits there; 
Has made her his bride, far absent all care. 
Ah ! watch how his face all glows with a smile — 
He knows not between lies many a mile ! 
But see the dark clouds; in tumult they fly; 
They tell of a storm : ihey darken the sky. 



THE OCEAN GRAVE. 155 

A few moments since serene was that sky ; 
And gentle the breeze as soft it stole by ; 
And placid the sea with its bosom so blue, 
A mirror reflecting the clouds as they flew. 
Behold ! what a change ! the winds how they rage, 
Like beasts of the woods escaped from their cage ! 
The white-crested billows, how upward they rise ; 
Descending again as if from the skies ! 
The ship like a nut-shell is tossed to and fro, 
On old Ocean's bosom now heaving with woe. 
The thunders grow louder and roll through the sky, 
The lightnings grow brighter and dart from on high ! 
The winds now are fiercer, and howl o'er the deep, 
As the billows roll higher and o'er the ship sweep ! 
And flies o'er the scene wild Terror sublime; 
And tremble the crew — ah ! horrible time I 

But the Euler of storms says, "Peace! be ye still." 
His word the winds hear, and leave at his will. 
The lightnings and thunders then in the sky cease, 
And the billows again now slumber in peace ; 



156 THE OCEAN GRAVE* 

And the rainbow of Heaven o'erarches tlie sky ; 
And Phoebus' bright rays swift fall from on high. 
But where that strong ship that flew o'er the deep, 
The billows defying, as by they would sweep ? 
Where that gay vessel that lately sailed there — 
That ship with its souls? Mock Echo says, "where?" 
In Ocean's dark depths, far, far 'neath the wave. 
In the sea's cemetery have hundreds a grave ! 

The night it is calm, and soft is the air. 
When on the sea-shore bends a young maiden fair. 
And oil! how angelic, as there she kneels soft! 
But hark to her prayer which the breeze bears aloft : 

"Father, sisters, and a mother, 
Thou hast taken all from me; 
In the ocean sleeps my brother. 
Oh! shield Tommie on the sea! " 

Alas! she knows not that far 'neath the wave. 
Her own dearest Tommie has now found a grave! 



THE OCEAN GRAVE. 157 

In some unfathomed cave in vast ocean deep, 

l.'liere lonely and cold her lover doth sleep! 

From view far concealed, far down in tlie sea, 

His sepulchre white needs the shade of no tree. 

Upon his drear, gloomy, mysterious, dark tomb 

No flower opening smiles, save the green sea-weed's bloom. 

Or the white coral blossoms, — v;ork of a strange race. 

The sea's little architects — his tomb to grace. 

And that brother, perhaps, there sleeps by his side, 
Unroused by sea's roar, unmoved by the tide. 

Far from the earth's tumult, calm may they both rest, 
» Till waked by the last trump in Heaven they are blest ! 



AN ODE TO 

H. W. LONGFELLOW, Esq. 

Hail! Poet, tlioii 
Whose nolble broAV 
With diadem is crowned 

Of greater beauty, worth 
Than any that are found 
On heads of kings of earth I 

All honor now ; — 
Indeed^art thou 
Immortal Burns more like 

Than any poet that lives. 
His noble heart doth strike 

Within thy breast, which gives 



TO H. W. LONGFELLOW, ESQ. 159 

To everyjine 
Feeling divine, — 
A generous impulse free, — 
A sympathy deep, kind. 
In thy soul's fount Ave sec 

Emotions, thoughts, which find — ^ 

As rich tliey gush 

And onward rush, 

Like waters from breast deep 

Of mother-earth that rise. 

And welling up fast sweep — 

Welcome in thousand eyes. 

Thy blue eye, — fraught 
With gems of tliought, 
Sparkling, serene and bright — 

Like miniature view of sky 
Cerulean, calm at night, 
Spangled with stars, did I 



160 TO H. W. LONGFELLOW, ESQ. 

Fancy to be, 
As once by thee 
I sat, long years past now. 

In thy sweet cottage-home 
On old Nahant, where thou 
Dost love to live and roam. 



OLDEN MEMOEIES, 



ADDRESSED TO MY AUNT, MRS. THOMAS H. SHREVE. 

" Behind a frowning providence, 
He hides a smiling face." 

COWPEK. 

Oh ! how ye cling around the soul, 
Sweet olden memories, dearest gems I 

As green vines cling around their pole, 

And clustering flowers around their stems. 

Ye memories oft are sad but dear, 
Yes, like the rose upon the tomb. 

Showing to us that death is near. 
While still it pleases with its bloom. 



162 OLDEN MEMORIES. 

Oft from tlij presence radiant, bright 
E'en as the sun's at clay's first dawn, 

Our gloom flees off, as ebon night 
Doth flee from liim at early morn! 

Though ye^thy visits oft repeat. 

Oh ! Avelcome ! welcome ! come again ; 
. For ye do joy for us oft mete ; 
As oft do take away our pain. 

Upon a still and quiet eve, 

Just when the sun hath sunk to rest. 

For lost ones we then love to grieve. 
Although we know that they are blest. 

Yes, when "the day has passed and gone," 
And when "the evening shades appear," 

'Tis then the form of some lost one 
Reflected is in every tear. 



OLDEN MEMORIES. 163 

And then the form of that one dear, 

Commg in olden memories' vision, 
Is, though we seem alone, us near — 

Sweet balm for the heart's incision. 

And then rush to us memories olden, 

Dear, happy visions of the past, 
Like bright scenes fairy, in dreams golden. 

Scenes far "too beautiful to last!" ^ 

As oft round Autumn's setting sun, 

Will glow clouds silver, gold, and blue. 

Whose beauty fades, whose glory 's done, 
Before we tire of the rich view. 

How many wonder that we are sad. 

When that dear friend 's been long away! 

Oh ! how can we feel joyous, glad ? 
And do they wish us ? — We say nay. 



164 OLDEN MEMORIES. 

Ah ! seems the world a stormy ocean, — 
When a loved one of worth we 've lost — 

And on it barks, some for a notion. 
But others after things of cost. 

And very oft to us it seems, 

That those who strive for the bright goal, 
With all their noble spars and beams, 

Are e'en the lirst wrecked on the shoal! 

But let ITS not despair, but know 
That far beneath mad ocean's wave 

Hich pearls of worth and beauty glow. 
And bright dew-drops shine on the grave. 

And so behind the dark, gloomy cloud' 
Sparkles in splendor the smiling star, 

Enveloped deep within its shroud 
'Till the winds blow the mists afar. 



OLt)EN MEMORIES. 165 

Tlius oft behind affliction's cloud, 

Where we can only think a frown, 
Beams the calm, holy smile of God, 

There mildly on us glowing down ! 

And then it is old memories dear, 

Like fair, strong cords of silvery light, 

Draw off our hearts from all things here, 
Up to high Heaven all glorious, bright. 

Then memories sparkling in the eye. 

Thus blinding it to earthly things, 
Glow like the meteors in the sky — 

Glow like the light of angels' wings ! 

Though ye tliy visits oft repeat, 

Ye come to us like spirits bright; 
Oh ! come until our life 's complete — 

Oh! come to cheer us through the niffht. 

August,' 1855, 



TO 



Wm. C. BRYANT, Esg. 

Great poet ! when tlij free, glorious spirit winged 
Its downward flio-ht trom Heaven's hi2;li battlements, 
A bright, immortal spark divine, from the 
Unceasing flood wdiicli there in brilliancy 
Ineffable doth flow, was with it sent, 
Which fanned into a glowing flame by wings 
Of quick imagination, beams now like 
A shining light to guide thy fellow-man. 
Who over life's broad sea doth sail, Avhilst thou 
Loom'st up like a tower upon a rocky coast! 

Hail! favored child of Nature kind, at whose 
Feet thou dost sit, as near a mother dear, 
And gaze into lier deep, cerulean eye. 
And hold with her communion sweet in all 



TO WM. C. BRYANT, ESQ. 167 

The "visible forms" she doth assume to please 
And draw thee close. 

The "various lanouao-c" which 
She speaks, and which so few can understand; 
Still thou dost hear, and know, and feel, and tlien 
Tell us that which might otherwise have been 
Forever lost. 

But, Poet, come, come — if thou 
Hast never seen fair Nature as she doth 
To us appear in this our grand old state — 
And see our towering mounts, green hills, vast caves, 
Majestic streams, our beauteous forests wild, 
Illimitable ; Nature's fair and blooming 
Daughters too ; for female loveliness and 
Beauty fresh are bright twin-flowers indigenous 
To our Kentucky soil. Come, Poet, come, we'll 
Meet thee sure with open Southern hearts and hands. 



THE ROSE. 



This little poem is dedicated to buss f. l. 



If Zeus chose us a kiug of the flowers iu his mirth, 

He would call to the rose aud would royjilly crowu it; — 

For the rose, ho, the rose ! is the grace of the earth, 
Is the light of the pUmts that are growing upon it. 

Mrs. Browning's reiidilion of 

Sappho's Song of the Rose. 



What noblei flower 

On Nature's bower, 
Or in her garden grows ? 

What sweeter flower 

Of magic power 
To gladden than the rose ? 



THE ROSE. 169 

Before sin came 

And endless shame 
Upon the earth so fan*, 

The angels bright 

With heavenly light 
Were wont to visit there. 

Communion sweet, 

As then was meet, 
They with our parents held ; 

And deigned to walk 

With them, and talk. 
By kindly love impelled. 

One lovely day, 

When Sol's bright ray 
Lit up all Paradise ; 

And mother Eve, — 

I'll not deceive — 
Clad in becoming guise 

IB 



170 THE ROSE. 

Of innocence 
And virtue, whence 

Chief loveliness arose; 
With her loved lord. 
Through Eden broad 

Strolled where Euphrates flows, 

Two angels fair 

The loving pair 
Approached thus to address ; — 

The nobler one, 

And higher none, 
Spake thus, nor more, nor less : 

" Come, brother good, 
'Tis meet we should 

To-day name every beast 
Placed here to roam 
In its wide home, — 

The greatest and the least." 



THE ROSE. 171 

The other one, 

When he had done, 
To fair Eve, smilmg came: — 

" Come, sister good, 

'Tis meet we should, 
To all jowi flowers give name," 

A look of love. 

Like cooing dove 
Each to the other threw, 

And parted then, 

I need not pen. 
As lovers always do ; 

Each wishing soon — 

Oh! happy boon I — 
The other there to meet, 

To tell their love, 

Like cooing dove, — 
With word and smile to greet. 



172 THE ROSE. 

We'll Adam leave, 
And follow Eve, 
Who with her angel-guide, 
Walks through her bowers, 
Among her flowers, 
Sweet objects of her pride. 

The Dahlia proud. 

Of all the crowd 
By far most haughty one ; 

The Peony red. 

With toss of head. 
And Heart's-ease full of fun. 

With saucy look 

From its sly nook ; 
The Sun-flower bright as flames ; 

The Violet blue, 

The Daisy too. 
Had all received their names ; 



THE KOSE. 173 

And others too, 

Which round them grew, 
Had each its name and place, — 

Yes, all the flowers 

Of Eden's bowers, 
But two most full of grace. 

The Lily fair 

With modest air 
Her graceful head inclined. 

As they drew near 

Her pale as fear, 
And name and rank assigned. 

But on her right — ,1 

Oh ! heavenly sight ! 
There stood a full-blown flower 

Of modest mien, 

Yet like a queen 
Of beauty, grace, and power. 



174 THE ROSE. 

An unfeigned blush, 

Like maiden's flush, 
Suffused her cheeks with red ; 

And pride and grace 

Sat on her face. 
As thus the angel said : — 

"Hail! regal Rose! 

No flower here grows 
So fair, so sweet as thou ; 

And queenly pride. 

And grace beside 
Each crowns thy peerless brow. 

"And that all now 

To thee may bow, 
And own thy rule supreme, 

O noble Queen, 

Of graceful mien, 
Thy brow with light shall gleam. 



THE ROSE. 17i 

No sooner said, 

Than round her head 
A halo-glory shone, 

As sparks of light 

From his wings bright 
Around her brow were thrown! 

But when man fell — 

Ah ! sad to tell — 
Then disappeared that crown ; 

Yet still, I ween. 

From rank that queen 
Was not indeed cast down. 

Her primal grace 

Adorns her face ; 
Her regal pride remains ; 

That noble mien. 

Which marks the queen. 
Unaltered she retains ! 



TO 



THE NEW-YOEK OBSERVER. 

Hail! now, 
O thou 
Great banner white, 
Emblazoned bright 
With characters of light 
Glowing both day and night! 
Long to the breeze thou'st been unfurled 
Throughout the vast enlightened world, 
Where'er a Christian army strong 
With solid phalanx moves along, 
In giant, firm, resistless march, 
To pass beneath the glorious arch 
O'er Zion's wide and golden gate. 
Which open its approach doth wait! 



TO THE NEW-YOEK OBSEEVEE. 177 

Hail ! now, 
O thou 
Herald of Truth, 
Bringing to youth, 
x4.nd aged too, — to all 
Who list to hear thy call. 
The news, — glad tidings of great joy. 
Telling how Christ's followers employ 
Their time, their strength ; and telling of 
His kingdom's progress, — the rule of love. 
Herald! in almost every land 
Thy spies are there to take their stand; 
And thus o'er earth thou hast wide view, 
Fearless thy duty e'er to do ! 

16 



TEEDIE AND THE HUMMING-BIRD. 



"]\IOTHER, what is tliat darling thing 
Clad in its rainbow dress ; 
And with a light and quivering wing. 
So full of happiness ? 

"Long have I watched it fi'om my bower, 
Flying from twig to twig, 
And kissing every fragrant flower. 
Unconscious of fatigue." 

'^It is a humming-bird, my child. 
You see so gay and bright," 
The mother fond replied, and smiled 
To note her child's delight. 



THE HuMMINCt-BIRD. 179 

"A humming-bird I wish ^were, 
And had two wings so light ; 
I 'd fly ahout all free from care, 
From early morn till night. 

"I 'd flap my little wings and go 
Away up to the sky, 
And light upon a cloud of snow, 
And sing a song so high! 

"And then again to earth I'd fly 

To smell the roses sweet. 
And place upon your hand so sly 
My tiny, little feet!" 

"My child, if you the Lord will love, 
An angel you shall be ; 
And two bright, golden wings above 
Shall waft you light and free ! 



180 TEEDIE AND 

"And 'neath God's throne there shall you raise 
Your sweet and silvery voice 
In anthems loud of heavenly praise, 
And ever thus rejoice!" 

W ^ 7p -P 

A sad and weeping circle stands 

Around a little bed ; 
A smiling sufferer flaps her hands — 

Her soul to God has fled ! 

She has a pair of golden wings 

To waft her light and free ; 
And with a silvery voice she sings 

In endless joy and glee! 

^ V 9^ 5p 

The mother stands beside the grave 

In which her Teedie lies ; 
A willow's mournful branches wave 

Before her sobbing eyes. 



THE HUMMING-BIRD. 181 

A humming-lbird, with plumage gay, 

Lights on her hand in glee ; 
Then memory fond recalls the day 

She wished such bird to be. 

Her bright eye sparkles through her tear, 

Like sunbeams through the rain; 
And then she calls it "Teedie dear," 

And courts it to remain. 

It builds its nest upon the bower 

O'er Teedie's grave so green ; 
And oft it kisses every flower 

Which smiling there is seen ! 



THE VISION. 



LINES ADDRESSED TO 
UPON THE NIGHT OF HER MARRIAGE. 



Dear friend, before my eyes one night 

A vision passed, — 
Strange picture, beautiful and bright 

From first to last. 
I stood upon a grassy shore. 

Where flowers in glee 
Their slender forms were bending o'er, 

So gracefully, 



THE VISION. 183 

To bathe their heated brows, and make 

Them cool and white 
In waters of a beauteous lake 

Reflecting liglit 
Of skies above. — But while I g-azed 

Upon their play, 
How much was I surprised, amazed 

To see the spray 

Dash high upon the bank of green, 

Followed by wave. 
Naught on the lake could then be seen ; 

Nor did storm rave. 
But soon I saw a boat, all gay 

With streamers brio-lit 
And flags and snowy sails, make wa}*-, 

Darting in flight 



184 THE VISION. 

Out from behind a jutting rock ; 

And in it there 
A maiden stood with curling lock, — 

Queen-like, bright, fair! 
'Twas she the lake from sleep thus woke, 

Ruffling its breast ; 
Radiant as the angel, e'en, who broke 

Bethesda's rest, 

Coming, like a beam from Heaven's high gate, 

To trouble then 
Those healing waters, and abate 

Suffering of men ! — 
And then another winged boat, 

And others still, 
Past me did fly like gulls, or float 

Like swans — at will. 



THE VISION. 185 

In each a gallant man did stand, 

With eye on thee ; 
To each thou gav'st a smile so bland, 

And full of glee ; 
While 'mong that little fleet around 

Thy light boat gay 
Did spring, as with a living bound 

In merry play. 

A smile to each I said, — yes, e'en 

As Nature bright 
On mankind all is ever seen 

The golden light 
Of her sunny countenance to throw ; 

Though in her gaze. 
To him, who loving most doth show 

It best always, 



186 THE VISION. 

Encouragement most marked gives slie. 

So 'twas with one, 
Who e'er was close by side of thee, — 

His life, his sun. 
He asked thee in his lisrht bark near 

o 

Thyself to place ; 

And thus with him to sail fore'er. 

And from thy face 

A joyous smile 'mid conscious blush 

Thou didst him send ; 
As sun-beam bright with crimson flush 

Of eve doth blend ! 
The hero of the manly form 

Did woo tliee more ; 
He said he'd fear no wave or storm, 

Whilst thee lie bore ; 



THE VISION. 187 

But that together Tboth would sail 

In happiness ; 
And neither would the other fail 

In all distress. — 
I heard no more, for summer breeze 

Did rustle through 
The waving boughs of dark green trees, 

Which on shore grew. 

But soon I saw thee, maiden fair. 

Step in his boat ; 
Nor need I tell how on thee tliere, 

His eye did dote. 
Each face was lit with pleasure's ray — 

Each was joy's throne. 
But by soft winds from sight away 

That boat was blown. 



188 THE VISION. 

And, now, • dear friend, thou dost within 

Love's gay bark light 
The matrimonial voyage begin. 

On the river bright 
Of life, with one thou lov'st. — ^May skies 

Smile e'er on each, 
Like light which falls from angels' eyes. 

Till Heaven ye reach! 



TO MISS E. P. 

My friend, througli thy heart ever flow 
All Iblithe, clear, and free as they go, 
Joy's streams, their bright currents there pouring ; 
In merriment loud and gay roaring 
Like wild Minne-ha-ha's mirth-sound, 
As deep, laughing waters there bound ! 

And round thy cheek's fresh bloom so fair 
May ever be seen clustering there 
Light, sunny smiles bright, thus arraying 
Themselves in mild beauty while staying ; 
And dropping with soft, tiny feet. 
On lips always rosy and sweet, 



190 TO MISS E. P. 

To sip the dew which they distill,- 
To get on such dainty food fill ; 
As round the rich flowers ever flying, 
Or on their soft petals there lying, 
Are golden-winged butterflies bright 
Their honey to suck in delight! 



THE LAST VICTIM OF THE DELUGE. 



Earth shall be ocean ! 

Aud no breath, 
Save of the winds, be on the uubouuded wave ! 
Angels shall tire their wings but find no spot: 
Not even the rook from out the liquid grave 
Shall lift its point to save, 
Or show the place where strong despair hath died. * * * 

Byron : Heaven and Earth. 

Jamque mare et tellus nullum discrimen habebaut; 
Omnia poutus erant. Deerant quoque littora pouto. 
Occujiat hie collem ; * * • • 

Ovid. 

Ages of years 
With smiles and tears 
Had passed away 
Since that first day, 
When God's great Spirit moved along 

Upon the water's face, and he 
Divided there by his hand strong, 

The dark from light, and land from sea ; — 



192 THE LAST VICTIM 

Since God man made 
And on him laid, 
In grace and love, ' 
The impress of 
His beauteous image, with the stamp 
Of his all-glorious Godhead great ; 
And gave him conscience — that bright lamp 
Of Truth, to guide in his free state. 

At time we pen 
Of, hordes of men 
Cover the land, 
As shells the strand. 
But though the shells, in still small voice, 

Of God soft whisper in man's ear. 
Not in the Lord does he rejoice. 

Hating the One who placed him here. 



OF THE DELUGE. 193 

But his God now, 
When he sees liow 
Man's every thought 
With sin is fraught, 
Repents him sore that he has made 

And placed this creature on the earth, 
Since he has sinned and disobeyed 
Unto this day from his first birth. 

His fiat loud 
From cloud to cloud. 
Like thunder runs. 
Or boom of guns, 
Till reaching earth it scatters wide 

Fear, consternation, horror, dread. 
Among these hearts so full of pride, 

Fearing what God in wrath lias said: — 

17 



194 THE LAST VICTIM 

"Ye me defy! 
Ah! all shall die 
'Neath the flood's wave, 
Nor one shall save 
His life but Noah and his household, 

Who in an ark shall safe there ride, 
Nor fear the billows strong and bold — 
Our-pourings of my wrath defied!" 

And then black Death 
Breathing hot breath, 
On his horse pale. 
Followed l)y trail 
Of fire and smoke and all hell glad. 
In blazing pomp, terror sublime, 
Rides through the skies, wliere all earth bad 
And vile can view — ah ! awful time ! 



OF THE DELUGE. 195 

The demon, Storm, 
Shows his dark form ; 
The lightnings thick 
Pierce clouds, and quick 
They burst; and all "the windows of 

Heaven are opened," and waters pour 
In torrents strong down from above ; 

And "fountains of the great deep roar!" 

Tlie wild winds fly ; 
The waves toss high ; 
The thunder rolls, 
And man's knell tolls; 
And drear, black Darkness darkly frowns 

And wraps the world in a cloud of gloom, 
A sable pall, which thus surrounds 
These blind, benighted sinners' tomb ! 



196 THE LAST VICTIM 

Black is the sky ; 
Black waves roll high ; 
Black demons fell, 
Escaped from hell, 
Fly through black earth ; while hlack despair 

Sits on men's countenances dark ; 
And on black hearts' thrones ebon there 

Black Sin doth reign ; nor shines hope's spark. 

The waters rise 
Up toward the skies, 
Thus sweeping all 
From housetop tall, 
From pinnacle and spire and hill ; 

From tree and mountain too, as wild. 
Their raging billows roll, until 

Has perished man and woman, child ; — 



OF THE DELUGE. 197 

Till have met death 
All who by breath 
Did keep their life, 
Before in strife 
Of these mad elements they died; 
Save one gigantic, mighty man 
Who, beating hard the waves aside, 
Will, if in human strength he can, 

Reach a rock near. 
Which he sees rear 
Itself alone; 
For there is shown 
No other eminence, whose head 

Still stands above this raging sea, 
This mighty tomb of all earth's dead, 

Kings, beggars, rich, poor, bond, and free! 



198 THE LAST VICTIM 

Yes, all have died 
In sin and pride, — 
Have died because 
God's liolj laws 
They mocked, nor feared to scorn his power; 

By thousands, hundreds, tens, and then 
But one by one, whilst Death did lower. 
And he of all the race of men 

Alone is left. 
Of friends bereft. 
Bravely he beats 
Each wave he meets, 
And struggles hard to reach that rock. 

But see ! he uses but one arm. 
And has the other in tempest's shock 
Met with some accident and harm ? 



OF THE DELUGE. 199 

All! Imrd to be 
Cast on siicli sea, 
And whirled along, 
E'en if he strong- 
Were in each limb ; but with one maimed. 

Oh I doubly so. — Or in a sling 
Was it placed ere the deluge lamed? 
It is tied with afectloii's string ! 

Behold! close pressed 
Against his breast 
He clasps his boy. 
His only joy ! 
Wife, mother, father, sisters, friends, 

In the gulf of wrath have all been lost. 
He 'mong their corpses his way wends, 
With one child left, on billows tossed ! 



200 THE LAST VICTIM 

One feeling mild 
These waters wild 
From his dark soul, 
As mad they roll, 
Cannot wash out, nor lessen e'en. 

One soft emotion lingers still; — 
For no man wholly vile is seen, 

Though he may lie, and steal, and kill, 

And curse his God, 
Nor fear his rod ; 
Hate every man. 
And lead the van 
Of evil-doers fell in crime. — 

This sinful man still loves his child, 
And here presents a scene sublime ! 
Alas ! that such hath God reviled. 



OF THE DELUGE. 201 

"Ah! if I yet 
By toil may get 
Upon that high 
Rock to me nigh, 
I there may save my life, and thine, 

My child !" Poor man ! thou dost not know- 
That both these lives thou must resign. 
As all have gone ye two must go ! 

He reaches now, 
With aching brow 
And leaping heart 
And eyes which start 
With tears of joy, this rock, which rears 

Itself full thirty feet above 
The raging flood ; and less his fears 
For self and boy — child of his love. 

18 



202 THE LAST VICTIM 

On top of it 
He now cloth sit 
liimselt' to rest, 
So long oppressed 
By care, fatigue; and then the head 

Of his loved boy he lifts, and smiles. 
But no smile answers his ; he 's — dead ! 
"'Tis talse, yes, 'tis but fancy's wiles," 

In grief he cries, 
"Come, ope thy eyes. 
My boy; thou art 
Not dead; thy heart 
Still beats, I know." — But yet he feels 
Life 's gone, and o'er his soul to pass, 
As some cold reptile slowly steals. 
Dread consciousness 'tis so, alas! 



OF THE DELUGE. 203 

But still he 's pressed 
Close to liis breast. 
A tear from eye, 
From heart a sigh; 
And for the first time then his head 

He raises up, and takes a view. 
Casting his gaze o'er all the dread 
Expanse of waters black and blue, 

Or foaming white 
Like spectres light, 
As they fly past, 
All leaping fast. 
Oh ! terribly sublime the sight ! 

Oh! a-\vfully magnificent, 
And wildly grand! Was such a night 
Of desolation ever sent 



204 THE LAST VICTIM 

Upon this earth, 
To drown its mirth; 
Or other workl, 
Where all was hurled 
In one great yawning cliasm wide, 

Of ruin and destruction vast ; 
Its habitants Avith all their pride, 

Their sins, their woes, joys, pleasures cast 

In this gulf deep 
By God's wrath's sweep? — 
If such a one 
Rolls round the suu 
As this revolving globe of ours. — 

Yes, what a scene for him here then, 
As there he sits, when all the powers 

Of Heaven and Earth and Hell 'gainst men 



OF THE DELUGE. 205 

Seem thus combined, — 
'Gainst these poor, Llind, 
Weak creatures vile, 
Laden with pile 
Of sins and errors black, so great 

And heavy that they could not bear 
Up under this such onerous weight. 
But 'neatli the flood sank in despair ! 

As far as eye 
Can straining spy. 
He sees waves and 
High billows grand ; 
Seas, oceans, waters, waters, naught 

But waters dark, save here and there 
A floating house, or tree, plank, caught 
In miielstroms wild, as on they tear 



206 THE LAST VICTIM 

In whirls around 
With hoarse, harsh sound. 
Or then he may 
See far away, 
Or near perhaps, now cold and dead. 

Some human form, whose snowy shroud 
Is foaming wave, and whose death-bed 
Was this vast sea — for humble, proud ! 

And now appears, 
As high it rears 
Itself above 
The level of 
This deluge great, the Ark, which floats 

In safety past, but far away. 
Its ride secure o'er seas he notes ; 
But not one single, glistening ray 



OF THE DELUGE. 207 

Of wakening light 
Then gilds his night, — 
The cloud of gloom, 
Which like a tomb, 
Now holds his buried hopes drowned, dead. 

As he in fear sees rising fast, 
In their approach so wild and dread. 
Up toward his seat these waters vast ; 

And too well knows 
That none but those, 
Who through the strife 
Preserved dear life, 
Placed in the Ark, need expect there 

Thus safe to ride ; and then his back 
Pie turns in absolute despair. 

And blacker grows his gloom-cloud black ! 



208 THE LAST VICTIM 

But still there is 
Not yet on his 
Face any sign, 
Or faint outline 
Of sorrow for transgression fell, — 
Contrition and repentance meek. 
Such Avords his firm lips do not tell. 
That countenance doth hut bespeak 

Rebellion still. 
Pride and self-will. 
His thoughts of sin. 
Hidden within. 
Behind his heart's strong castle-walls 

Their first resolve maintain yet firm. 
Nor harken to contrition's calls, 
Surrendering arms upon no term ! 



OF THE DELUGE. 209 

Should strong waves sweep 
Into the deep 
Him soon, once more 
He'll battle o'er 
Then* barriers high, and strive to gain 

Some house, or raft, tree, floating still — 
Position which he will maintain, 
In his defiance mad, until — 

He knows not when. — 
Past human ken 
The heart's stern pride, 
God, man, defied, 
As wickedlj it oft hath done. 

Poor man! that stern resolve still there 
Is Satan's offspring, his own son. 
Or blind resolve of black despair ! — 



210 THE LAST VICTIM 

But see cast there, 
With bosom fan-, 
And soft face mild, 
On billows wild 
A female form ! Up toward him now 
The wave bears it in its swift route. 
Those raven curls from snowy brow 

Thrown back, in graceful trail spread out I 

Behold him sit 
There watching it 
As it doth come. 
But, hark! now from 
His heaving breast, a piteous sigh 

Is cast on winds that whistle past. 
And then a wild and shrill, loud cry 
Doth pierce the air like clarion's blast ! 



OF THE DELUGE. 211 

' ' My wife ! my wife ! 
In this mad strife 
Of winds and rain 
Thou hast been slain! 
Arouse ! my babe, my sleeping child ! 
And see thy mother dead and cold, 
Tossed here on billows dark and wild, — 
She who to breast thee loved to fold ! " 

Again he cries, 
" Come, ope thy eyes 
My boy; thou art 
Not dead; thy heart 
Still beats, I know." — Again he feels 

Life 's gone, and o'er his soul to pass, 
As some cold reptile slowly steals. 
Dread consciousness 'tis so, alas! 



212 THE LAST VICTIM 

And then clear o'er 
His heart-stream's shore 
Doth wiklly roll, 
Flooding his soul, 
A deluge of agony intense. 

Weak Reason from her throne falls tlien. 
Fierce, raging Madness driving hence, 
By Satan sent from her hell-den ; 

By Beelzebub, 

Who cannot rub, 
In perfect glee 
And ccstacy, 
Ilis brawny hands, while one remains 

Upon the earth from him still free! — • 
Yes, o'er his mind wild Fury reigns- 
Poor man! a raving maniac he! 



OP THE DELUGE. 213 

His boy long pressed 
Close to Ins breast 
Though cold and dead, 
Is dropped in dread 
And raging jaws of gulf beneath. 

He grasps some sea-weed flying by; 
He twists of it a royal wreath, 

And puts it on his white brow high. 

He thinks that he 
Sits o'er Hell's sea ; 
His rough, cold stone 
A regal throne, 
Whose occupant is no less than 
His great Satanic Majesty! — - 
Ah! poor, deluded, crazy, man! 
When Reason 's gone 'tis sad to he. 



214 THE LAST VICTIM 

And when the wave 
His foot doth lave. 
As rising high 
These waters flj, 
He from the whirlpool jerks an oar ; 

And jumping up in rage he shouts, 
"Aback! my slaves ; why do ye pour 

Thy ranks toward me with mocking flouts ! 

"Do ye rebel, 
Demons of hell I 
With this my spear, 
Which I hold here, 
I'll pierce each heart ! I warn thy bands." 

And as he speaks and makes air ring. 
With regal mien he proud there stands. 
And full eight feet — a giant king ! 



OF THE DELUGE. 215 

But waters still 
Rise, rise until 
The rock wlicreon 
He stands is gone 
From view, and they thus quite submerge 

His feet, which, in his WTary cruise, 
]\Iade wet and chilled in wave and surge. 
Are paralyzed and action lose. 

As he mad raves, 
And thinks these waves 
Are demons fell 
Of his own Hell, 
In insurrection rising now 

'Gainst him, their lawful king well-known, 
To snatch his crown off from his brow. 
And dispossess him of his throne. 



216 THE LAST VICTIM 

He shouts aloud, 
As lie stands proud, 
"All ye, aback! 
Ye devils black! 
Thy foamhig jaws I swear I'll pierce 

With my strong spear; though ye have tied 
My royal feet, ye demons fierce, 
Free still my arm, and ye defied!" 

With giant might 
Hell's king in fight. 
As fiends move near, 
Thrusts with his spear. 
Which deep is plunged — in the breast cold 
Of his dead loife — by billows slain! 

He thinks from the insurs-ents bold 

o 

The gore which now that oar doth stain! 



OP THE DELUGE. 217 

"Demons of hell, 
Do ye rebel! 
1 11 make thy blood 
Flow like a flood! — 
Se ye my squadron coming near! 

Not one of all shall save his life!" — 
Poor man ! think'st thou this great ark here 
Tliy fleet to help thee in thy strife? 

The devils heed 
Him not — in speed 
They climb about 
His throat with shout 
Of curse and jeer. "Think ye," he cries, 
"Think ye to choke thy lord and king! 
Above thy heads my arm yet flies, 
Destruction on ye all to bring!" 

19 



218 VICTIM OP THE DELUGE. 

With roar and frown 
They dash his crown 
From his proud brow, 
And even now 
His spear they snatch from his strong hand. 

Deep in the gulf their king is hurled! 
And in their triumph wild and grand 
They revel o'er a conquered world ! 

All off are swept, 
And none are kept, 
^Save in Ark those 
Whom there God chose I 
Then blacker still black Darkness frowns, 

And wraps the world in a cloud of gloom- 
A sable pall which thus surrounds 
These blind, benighted sinners' tomb! 



To C. A^D O. 



May Fortune strew 
Your pathway through 
This fleetino; life 
Of joy and strife, 
With sweetest flowers 
From her rich bowers! — 
And no thorns pierce 
With their teeth fierce, 
Or misery's darts, 
Your throbbing hearts! 
Adown life's stream, 
'Neath joy's bright beam, 



220 TO C. AND 0. 

In "bonds of love 
Like those above — 
Like angels feel, 
As "true as steel," 
E'er may you glide 
Thus side by side, 
In light barks free 
Of destiny, 
Until you reach 
That radiant beach 
Where spirits sport — 
Heaven's own bright port ! 

August, 1858. 



TO 



Mrs. S. a. WORTHINGTON, 



OF CINCINNATI. 



My Aunt, a merry Christmas now! 
A happy Christmas-day 

To gild with light thy noble brow, 
Like crown of diamond ray ; 

While joy's bells are gaily ringing, 
Sending through thy own loved liome 
Sweet chimes from the crystal dome 
Of the temple of thy heart, 

Memories there, like ivy, clinging 
To its walls too tight to part ; — 



222 TO MRS. S. A. WORTHINGTON. 

The temple of thy heart, whose doors 

Are ever open wide, 
Thus bidding all thy friends by scores 

To come, and there abide. 
With thy spirit bright communing; 

There to love and sympathize ; 

There to let their voices rise 

And re-echo through its aisles. 
With thy music's notes attuning, — 

Briffht their faces with love's smiles! 



Now thouofh witliiu this structure fair 

D 

There are some vacant seats, 
Showing us cruel Death e'en there 

Now and then his stroke repeats. 
Cutting down some flower in beauty. 

Striking cold some dear, loved friend. 

Whose life seemed with thine to blend; 

While on the wall on tablet white, 
Thou, performing sacred duty, 

An In Meinonam dost write : — 



TO MES. S. A. WORTHINGTON. 223 

Yes, though that edifice hath oft 

With mourning's curtains hung, 
While snowy angels' foot-falls soft. 

Like steps of Sorrow, rung 
Along the marble floors so slowly, 

As they bore some cherished form 

To their home beyond earth's storm. 

Far beyond our "vale of tears" — 
To their Eden bright and holy, 

There to live through endless years ; — 

Though oft along that silent nave 

Sad choral strains have rolled 
Their mournful, low, resounding wave. 

As requiem those bells tolled, 
Deep and solemn as the roaring 

Of old Ocean, when the surge 

On his harp sounds funeral dirge 

Over those just wildly tossed, 
Giant Tempest his breath pouring 

On their ship until 'twas lost; — 



224 TO MRS. S. A. WOETHINGTON. 

Still, Aunt, a merry Christmas now ! 
A happy Christmas-day 

To gild with light thy noble brow. 
Like crown of diamond ray ; 

While joy's bells are gaily ringing. 
Sending though thy own loved home 
Sweet chimes from the crystal dome 
Of the temple of thy heart, 

Memories there, like ivy, clinging 
To its walls too tight to part ! 

Be it like some Cathedral grand. 

In fair Italia's clime. 
Which a monument doth stand 

Of ages past — of time ; 
'Neath whose floors the dead are sleeping ; 

For whose loss hath organ rolled ; 

For whose death the chime hath tolled ; 

But now some holiday is there 
Festoons from each arch are sweeping, 

As gay music stirs the air! 



TO MRS. S. A. WORTHINGTON. 225 

Dear Aunt, when I look back, along 
The bright, green avenue 

Of my past life, 'neatli whose vault song 
Of happiness oft flew. 

With its merry note resounding ; 
Where not oft a mournful lay, 
With its heavy wing, would stray, 
I hear gay and youthful strains 

Of love for thee therein light bounding 
On feet silvery in glad trains! 

I love thee still, and wish thee now 

A happy Christmas-day 
To gild with light thy noble brow. 

Like crown of diamond ray ; 
While joy's bells are gaily ringing. 

Sending through thy own loved home 

Sweet chimes from the crystal dome 

Of the^temple of thy heart, 
Memories there, like ivy, clinging 

To its walls too tight to part ! 

90 



THE HALLS OF MEMORY. 



IJNES ADDKESSED TO MlSS M. E. S. 

My Friend, oh ! often doth the avenue 
Of the long Past appear a temple great 
To me, and every tree in lengthy row 
Along the road o'er vv^liich I traveled once 
Becomes a marble column, which supports 
A graceful arch o'erhead ; and on each side, 
The intermediate space filled by the sky 
Then seems a panel great, transparent, clear 
As glass, while here and there rich, rainbow-tinted 
Clouds from heaven high throw their reflections brig 
Filling the apertures with gothic windows 
Gilt with all the septenary colors of 
God's glorious sun. 



HALLS OP MEMORY. 227 

And then the whcle transformed 
Beneath miagination's light — as once 
Were wont to rise, at the bright and magic flash 
Of young Aladdin's lamp, grand palaces- 
Is seen a picture-gallery great, on whose 
High, polished walls hath ]\Iemory painted there. 
With skillful hand, those scenes, events, and deeds, 
AVhich she, e'er thoughtful of the Future, thus 
Records for our own retrospective view. 
And there with artful brush liatli she drawn forms 
( Like shadows true, but brighter, fuller far ) 
Of friends, acquaintances, not often seen. 
Or not for a long time, or dead perhaps ; — ■ 
Yes, it may be of those whom once I knew. 
Admired and loved ; and whose corporeal shapes 
Would long ago from mind have passed had not 
This artist kind preserved them thus for me. 
And round such she hath drawn broad, ebon bands. 
Like mourning crape wreathed round our pictures dear. 

'Tis true that some have almost faded out, 



228 HALLS OF MEMOEY. 

And these Imagination must renew 
By filling up their naked lineaments 
And features indistinct ; for Memory 
Doth not like us to neglect her works, and 
Seldom will she paint again what we have 
Thus abused by letting Time witli his strong 
Hand deface, or rub entirely out, the 
Labors of her brush. 

But there are many yet — 
Bright pictures, which will visible remain 
And plain, as long, perhaps, as life shall last. 
And these among a portrait there full-length, 
I see, of one whom all who knew her loved, — ■ 
My mother's dearest friend ! 

Thence gazes she. 
As down I pass along these silent halls, 
Standing erect, with noble mien, in all 
Her native majesty, a very queen ! — 
No potentate at whose pride-swollen 
Feet, so tender that tliey scarce may touch the 
Earth contemned, bows some vast race abject and low- 



HALLS OF MEMORY. 229 

But a proud sovereign true, Kentucky-BORN ! 
That eye is still undimmed ; and pictured there, 
As on a crystal plate, sits strong Resolve 
Embracing gentle Love ! 

Her name I need 
Not call, for thou dost recognise her, on 
Whose breast an infant thou didst oft-times lie 
In sweet repose, rocked in the cradle of 
Her arms by heavings of that bosom, which 
Swelled with her yearning love ; and gently soothed 
By beatings of that kind and noble heart 
That sounded e'er soft lullabies. 

My Friend, 
Wouldst thou approach as near pefection as 
A woman may ? Then strive to imitate 
All of those virtues and those graces which 
Did ever her adorn, as with a robe 
Of honor such as women few have worn ! 



THE 

CAPTIVES OF BABYLON. 

A Versification of the 137th Psalm. 

By Babylon's rivers dark 
We sat us down ; and wept 

When we thought of Zion's park, 
Where God our flock once kept ! 

And our plaintive harps we swung 
Upon the willows' boughs, 

Whose low heads in sorrow hung, 
As emblems true of ours! 



CAPTIVES OF BABYLON. :23l 

For e'en tliej who led us thus 

Away from our own land 
Demanded a song of us — 

A* sad and captive band ! 



How shall we the Lord's song sing 

In this a foreign land ? 
How can we the voice make ring — 

A sad and captive band ? 



Jerusalem! my loved home dear, 

If I forget thee, may 
Then ray own right hand lose e'er 

Its cumiing that same day. 

If I do not think of thee, 
Let cleave to the roof of 

My mouth my tongue; — if thou be 
Not my chief joy above. 



232 CAPTIVES OF BABYLON. 

Remember, O Lord, we pray. 
The children of Edom, who, 

In Jerusalem's mournful day, 
Said, "rase it — blot from view I' 

O daughter of Babylon, who 
Shall be destroyed thus, 

Happy be he who doth do 
As thou hast done to us I 

Ah ! happy shall that man be. 
Who takes thy little ones. 

And dashes them angrily 

Against the rough, hard stones! 



ODE TO 



W. D. GALLAGHER, 



My lay I pray 

Thee now to hear — ^ 

My song not long- 
Though theme be dear. 
Why, art thou silent, still so long 
Thou sweet Meonian bird of song ? 
Why, poet-warbler of the west ? 
Art sick ? — hang'st head upon thy breast ? 
Like wet bird's chilled droopest thy wing ? 
And doth Misfortune her lead-weight bring. 
And place upon thy throbbing heart, 
And press till streams of Avoe thence start ? 
We miss tliee; warbler, sing again 
So sweetly unto listening men 



234 TO AV. D. GALLAGHER. 

And women, children anxious all 
To hear through grove and vale thy call. 
'Twill lighten both thj heart and ours,] 
Enchantinir us in silent hours. 
Come carol now, let thy notes dear 
'Mong old Kentucky's hills there e'er 
Flow on in bright and silvery stream 
Sparkling all o'er with diamond gleam ; 
Now dashing fast, and leaping wild ; 
Now tripping on like merry child ; 
Now roaring like the swollen brook ; 
Now stealing soft as spring from nook, 
But ever pleasing, Avakening us; — 
Oil ! chant, and warble, carol thus I 
TiOng years ago thou didst thus sing, 
And still thy clarion notes do ring 
Reverberatino- 'mono- the hills. 
And answering back the babbling rills ; - 
Yes, ever pleasing, wakening us ; — 
(3h ! chant, and warble, carol thus ! 



THE WHITE ANGEL. 



And now the soft foot-fall of the yonng creature as she swept quietly along, and 
the gleam of the lorch-lisht on hei- white figure, which caused her, apparently, to 
stand forth alone from the darkness, sent a thrill through the young man; for she 
seemed to him like a white angel gliding through Ihe church. •»»»•* And 
now the organ liegan to reveal its nohlest resources, the white church-angel, all the 
while, looking dreamily on, with the same smile of unworldly sweetness in her face. 
Extracts from a private memoir of his wife, by R. Storks Willis. 



THIS LITTLE rOEM IS DEDICATED TO LITTLE AKNIE, BLANCHE, 
AND JESSIE W. 



The dew-drop with its diamond eye 
Glitters awhile then off doth hie, 
Like to the humrning-Lird, which from 
Its hidden nook will sometimes come 
To gladden with its plumage hriglit, 
And then fly off like a beam of light! — 
The rainbow with its varied hue 
Delights us with a passing view, 



236 THE WHITE ANGEL. 

Hky spanning, a triumphal arcli 

Beneath which unseen legions march 

Of happy angels in glad trains, 

Singing hosannas in sweet strains ; 

Praising their King for the promise, which. 

In his kind mercy and grace rich, 

Made to his cliildren here below, 

Is stamped by that great seal — his how. 

But man can have but fleeting glance 

At Heaven ; and before advance 

In sight these glorious legions fair 

The cloudy curtains drop, lest stare 

Of mortal beings should peer through — 

See things unlit for carnal view. — 

The graceful, regal, heart-loved rose, 
The sweetest flower on earth that grows, 
Greets with its bloom a few, short days, 
Then pines and withers, falls, decays. 



THE WHITE ANGEL. 237 

Know you a gentle creature who 
Round her doth e'er soft radiance strew, — 
Like Phoebus cahn, serene and bright — 
"With something of an angel's light; " 
With scarce a frown or look demure, — 
A being gay and happy, pure 
As snow-flake which on milk-white wing 
From sky to earth itself doth bring ? 
Do you know such and love ? — ah ! hark, 
Upon her brow Death's mystic mark 
Is placed. Not long will she remain ; 
Of Heaven such; — to hope were vain. 
I have just read of one like this — 
One whom asleep would angels kiss. 
Their sister sent from her bright home 
Upon the earth awhile to roam — 
In sweet memorial from the hand 
Of one with whom in this strange land 
She shared, a few, short, happy years. 
Her hopes and pleasures, joys and tears. 



238 THE Wttlffi AN (I EL. 

1 should have known, had he not said, 

That form was Lild among the dead ; 

She couki not long stay here below, 

Her sisters calling her to go. 

The fair, white angel bade flirewell 

To those who knew and loved her Avell; 

And mantled in pure robes — no sliroud! — - 

She flapped her pinions bright. Through cloud 

And air she flew, until she stood 

At Heaven's gate, whose keeper good 

Tliew open wide his portals, and 

Welcomed her Avith a brother's hand ! 

Oh! grieve not, children dear, grieve not ; 
Your mother's garments bear no spot 
Of sin ; but white as falling snow 
Their graceful folds around her How. 
A golden harp she holds in hand, 
Singing sweet anthems with the band 
Of sister angels round God's throne, 
In rich, melodious, rapturous tone! 



THE WHITE ANGEL. 239 

But still she lias you e'er in view 
And prays and intercedes for you ; 
And hopes with yearning heart the day 
May be as yet not far away 
When you shall meet her there above ; 
In each eye sparkling joy and love. 

But though called from her loved ones here 
She fled unto her Saviour dear, 
Still when your angel-ma through sky, 
In her long heavenward flight did fly, 
She loft a rich and sparkling light 
To gild your souls throughout the night, — - 
Not like the glow-worm's feeble spark, 
A moment flashing on the dark ; 
Nor like the comet whose blaze dies, 
And flees off quickly from our eyes ; — 
But like a luminous, bright star 
It shines on you, but not afar! 
And every cloud of sorrow drear 
That like a pall falls round yon e'er, 



240 THE WHITE ANGEL. 

Its glistening rays will light and tinge, 
Surrounding with a golden fringe ! 
Then this be e'er your hope and prayer, 
That God of you will take good care, 
And guide your barks o'er life's wild sea, 
Until you reach high Heaven's bright lee, 
And twine your arms around neck of 
Your angel-ma in sky above ! 



To Mrs. C. S 



A perfect woman, nobly planned, ' 
To warn, to suffer, and command. 

AVoRDSWOHTtl. 



O LOVELY, honored queen 
Of noble, regal mien, 
Before thy throne are bending 
Thy subjects, oft prayers sending 
Up through the azure sky, 
Which like winged angels fly. 
All bright and holy kneeling 
'Neath mercy-seat, with feeling 
And earnestness implore 
God on thee blessings pour; — 



242 TO Miis. c. s. 

Say, lovely, honored queen 

Of noble, regal mien, 
How dost thou rule these bending, 
While heavenward their prayers sending ? 

With sceptre true of love 

Strong as that which, above, 
Her realms fair Venus swaying, 
Ruled gods and men obeying. 

Thus do thy friends' hearts bow 

Before thee gladly now. 

Once, chroniclers relate, 

A dame of wealth and state, 

(From fair Campania hailing,) 

But with a womanine failing ! 
Before Cornelia laid 
Her gems and pearls displayed. 

The Roman matron smiling 

And chatting, time beguiling 
Until her children dear 
From school returned, said : " Here 



TO MKS. c. s. 243 

My ornaments these bright!'''' 

Maternal pride, delight ! — 
Kind Fortune oft caressing 
Hath heaped on thee rich Llessing. 

Thou art a mother fond, 

Tied with affection's bond. 
In thy crown of joy glowing 
Like the comet, its rays throwing, 

Thou hast bright jewels rare ; 

These thy loved children fair ! 

And then withal thou art 

A woman of gentle heart. 
Its sympathy deep wooing, 
(As dove wins dove by cooing,) 

Draws with its plaintive voice, 

Making friends' hearts rejoice. 
Thy face is ever beaming. 
With radiant, soft light gleaming 

From that warm soul of thine, 

As sky 'neath sun doth shine I 



ODE TO 



GEO. D. PEENTICE, Esq. 



Hail, Poet! we 

Would speak to thee ; 
With grateful hearts thus thanking now 
For all the melody which thou 

Hast given e'er, 

To us who hear. 
But still we chide, because not more 
Thou lett'st its sparkling waters pour! 



TO GEO. D. PI? ENTICE. 245 

Our bosoms swell, 

Oft as we dwell 
Upon the thoughts and sentiments 
Thy poetry to our minds presents, 

Whilst breathing tire — 

That doth inspire 
With feelings kindred unto thine — 
Lit with a glowing spark divine, 

In Heaven high caught, 

And to thee brought 
By thy own guardian angel bright 
To gild thy soul with meteor light. 

Reflected thus 

Warmly on us, 
As on revolving planet rays 
Of Sol e'er fall like comet's blaze I 



246 TO GEO. D . P K E N T 1 C K . 

But why not now, 

Poet, dost write thou 
As once of okl in times gone past? 
Shall not thy tires of genius last? 

Do not refuse 

To court thy muse. 
Lest wearied out she takes her flight 
To Heaven whence she came in light ! 

What wouldst thou say, 

If told to-day 
Of one e'er wont to cull and cast, 
In Norway's maelstrom whirling fast, 

Flowers, fairest, best, 

And then protest 
That its waves with their wrath and roar 
Could not hurt them as round they tore! 



TO GEO. D. PliENTICE. 247 

With great surprise, 

"He were not wise," 
Sure thou would'st say, "who thus would act. 
And thus coukl think ;" — and it were fact. 

"Thou art the man!" 

Thy conduct scan. 
Thy blossoms, buds poetic, all 
In such strange place thou dost let fall ! 

They wildly thrown 

Are thickly strown 
In the political whirlpool, 
Where Strife, Contention, Terror rule ; 

There fiercely tossed, 

Forever lost ! 
'Tis wrong, — the earth needs their rich bloom, 
Thy fellow-men need their perfume ! 



248 TO GEO. D. PJIENTICE. 

Oh ! leave the world. 

Where they are whirled; 
Seek Nature's solitudes and groves, 
And hills, and vales, where Poesj roves. 

Where Heaven's cool dews 

May tliem suffuse, 
And bright sun warm, until they grow 
As sweet as any here below I 

Let there the bird 

Of song be heard. 
Which dwells within thy throbbing heart. 
Whose voice again may wakening start. 

Hearing the call 

Of warblers all. 
Who frequent e'er these quiet nooks, 
And sing unto the babbling brooks. 



TO GEO. D. PEENTICE. 249 

Its note too oft, 

Gentle and soft, 
Or ringing out clear, loud, and gay, 
Has not been heard, else thrown away 

Amidst the toil. 

And wild turmoil, 
Confusion, strife, and noise of earth, 
As if not loved, and nothing worth! 



OMNIBUS EST MORL 



I SOMETIMES dream — -unfortunate the man 
Who when in slumber held ne'er feels that lie 
Doth move, and act, and think, clothed in the noble 
Majestj of thought and being; whose mind, 
While body rests, is always wrapped in dead 
And mummifying lethargy, no more 
To stir till wakened by the light of day ; 
Just as the reptile e'en, that drags his cold 
And sluggish length into the crevice of 
Some shattered rock, and dormant lies until 
From sleep aroused by Spring's warm, genial smile- 
Unfortunate such mortals are, if such 



OMNIBUS EST MORI. 251 

There be, except perhaps the bloody man 

Wliose bloody hands are stained with gore of him 

Whom he hath offered oh the altar of 

His vengeance dire, or envy, avarice, 

To please the demon, who makes his hard heart 

Of stone into a throne, whereon she sits 

And rules supreme, his queen ; or some other 

Villain, who, Avearied in mind all day by 

Gloomy thoughts of gloomy deeds, would fain wish, Avhen 

His body rests, to bathe his fevered soul 

In Lethe's cool and soothing stream, fearing 

The nightmare horrible, which oft would make 

"Each separate hair to stand on end." 

But, thou, 
O, Christian dreamer, for "wealth of Ormus or 
Of Ind," wouldst thou forfeit this boon which God 
To thee has given — -the power to waft thy soul 
In lightning-flight, upon the rapid wing 
Of bright imagination, escaping for 
The time from its frail tenement "of earth. 



252 OMNIBUS EST MORI. 

Earthy," which here imprisons it, and — like 

Some eagle proud bursting from his dark cage — - 

Soaring aloft, until it reaches, e'en, 

The golden gates of Heaven, beholding there 

Such scenes as John on Patmos saw-^such scenes 

Glorious and bright, as none but angels see 

In glorious, bright, reality? 

Wouldst lose this 
Boon, Musician, thou, who mayst catch oft, when 
With his sable wing kind Morpheus hath thee fanned 
And lulled to sleep, such strains of melody 
As thou perhaps canst never hear in a long- 
Lifetime from a human instrument — strains from 
The harp some spirit strikes unseen V 

And, thou, 
O, Artist, who mayst view such scenery, thus, — 
Such pictures grand as have been placed within 
"This universal y/'«me," — reflections bright 
Of which on canvas of the mind are drawn 
With magic art by Fancy's skillful hand. 
Invisible. 



OMNIBUS EST MORI. 253 

And thou, O, Poet divine, 
Through channels of whose fervid soul, then, often flow 
Those sparkling streams of thought and sentiment, 
Of feeling, song, perhaps oft brighter much 
Than thou awake may feel, thy body, then, 
Upon the gushing fountains of the heart 
Not weighing down, like a heavy clod of clay — 
An incubus restraining, or, may be, 
Polluting with its dross the waters clear, 
Too oft, when thou awake wouldst wish them on 
To flow, free, unrestrained, in torrents pure ; — 
Say, wouldst thou for a miser's fondled bane — 
The golden bird, that will, more tightly pressed. 
But eat, the more, his dwindling, bloodless heart; — 
Say, wouldst thou for a Shylock's hoarded wealth, 
Who snatches at each glittering speck he sees, 
"Unlocks his gold, and counts it till he dies," 
Forfeit such boon? 

And thousands, millions yea. 
Whom Nature, as these named, hath favored not, 



254 OMNIBUS EST MORI. 

Do prize, esteem, and love tlie heavenly gift 
Of dream ! — • 

I have just dreamed ; and what a dream ! 
"Half light, half shade," half smile, half frown. I saw 
A gloomy giant-form, emaciate 
And grim — a ghastly, awful skeleton. 
With drapery naught save waving clouds of black, 
That hung around like folds of mourning crape. 
And darker than this sable cloud he bore 
A banner marked with letters far more black. 
"Omnibus est mori," thereon I read, 
In characters as dread and drear as those 
The unseen hand of God once wrote upon 
The scroll of heavens asunder widely torn. 
When floods of rain gushed forth and hid the earth! 

Adown the floor of some long hospital. 
Where ranged on either side were beds, in each 
Of which methought some sufiercr lay — a man 
Or woman, child ; — adown this avenue, 



OMNIBUS EST MOKI. 255 

Which to a gravejartl seemed at last to lead, 
I saAV the silent, gloomy, awful march 
Of silent, gloomy, awfal Death! 

His frown 
I thought grew blacker still ; his banner great 
Seemed 'neath its ebon shade now blacker too, 
As he approached a bed whereon there tossed, 
Like wave of ocean mad, a man in pain 
And agony intense. 

He saw dread Death 
Draw near ; and fear and terror wild flew o'er 
His trembling face, as e'en birds fly and cast 
Their shadows dark upon the troubled sea. He screamed 
With horror, shuddered. Availed with piteous cry, 
As the giant grim his bony hand stretched forth, 
And clutching tiglit with firm, determined grip. 
Bound him in lieavy chains of black despair, 
And bore away adown the aisle unto — 
Then closed the doors ; — I saw him ne'er again. 
"The atheist meets the atheist's doom," said I 



256 OMNIBUS EST MORI. 

Unto myself, revolving in my mind 
This scene so wonderful and strange. — But while 
I mused and pondered thus, re-entered Death ; 
And silent still he marched along. But, oh! 
How changed! Not now, as black, terrific as 
The thunder-cloud his face! Was figure of 
A mortal man or supernatural being 
E'er altered so? But to describe I'll not 
Attempt. To say that terror, anger, fear, 
And gloom had disappeared must now suffice; 
While e'en turned white that banner was, afore 
As black as Erebus itself; and that 
Strange motto too, in characters subdued, 
T^o view shone forth, and a bright wreath of light 
Was thrown around like interwoven, clustering 
Rays of gleaming hope. 

And witli a countenance 
So changed approached he then to where a weak, 
And silent sufferer lay — a woman wan. 
On whose face pale, as Parian marble wliite. 



OMNIBUS EST MORT. 257 

Calmness and resignation sat. But bright 
And radiant 'twas as holy angels' fair. 
And with a glowing smile of ecstasy 
And rapture most intense, Death greeted she ; 
x4.ud hailed him glad as her deliverer from 
All earthly woes and pains, afflictions hard. 
He bore her willing down that avenue ; 
And oped the doors, and shut. 

"The righteous fear 
Not Death," thought I, and wondered if he would 
Return and bear off to the grave still yet 
Another one of these whom pale Disease 
Had prostrate thrown npon their beds of trial 
And suffering. 

Yes, re-entered he again ; 
J^ut more this time like to some fair spirit bright, 
From Heaven high, than being from the realms 
Of Hell, as he had first to me appeared ! 
And noiselessly lie walked along, until 
He came unto a little cot where I 



258 OMNIBUS EST MOllI. 

Saw on a pillow soft a rosebud white, 

Not e'en half-Llown, whose ouce tair, ruby cheek 

The frost liad touched, and nipped its bloom. Withered 

It lay — its blush now gone — to pine, decay. 

Gently as e'en a mother fond her child 

Would to her heaving, feeling, yearning breast 

Clasp in the arms of love, the tiny flower 

He pressed unto his bosom warm, and walked 

Away, to bear the fair exotic frail 

And tender — chilled thus, ere its perfect bloom, 

By fi'osty breath of wan Disease — from this 

Cold, gloomy, foreign land ; — to bear ofi' this 

Poor, blighted bud unto the sunny clime whence 

First it came, to grow, expand, and cast its ( 

Smiles and fragrance 'neath bright Heaven's genial light! 

And now tin-ee thus borne ofl;' had he — a man, 
A woman, babe — an infidel who scofted. 
And cursed his God, and greatly feared to die — 
And next a woman, who, tired of this life. 



OMNIBUS EST MORI. 259 

Was glad to go unto a land Avherein 

Lived pain and sorrow not — and last tins sweet 

And beauteous babe, in mercy carried from 

A suffering world to one of happiness, 

And joy, and love. 

I woke — 'twas but a dream. 
Yet not without a moral, lesson, fraught; 
Which was just this, summed up in but few words — 
That pleasant Death appears, and kind, and mild. 
Or dread, terrific, awful, dark, e'er as 
The preparation is of mind and heart 
To leave this for another world — to die! 



ODE TO 



N. P. WILLIS, Esq 



Hail! Poet-author, hail! to thee 
Upon whose manly brow we see 
A sparkling crown with glowing gem, 
As bright as e'en the diadem 

Of "ebon goddess" Night, 

Lit with the lamps of light! 

Hail ! Poet-author, hail ! to thee ; — 

Thy winged thoughts have crossed the sea,- 

That others save thy countrymen 

May see and catch and hold them then — 

And there been caged in heart 

Of man, ne'er to depart. 



TO N. P. AVILLIS. 261 

And thy "Home Journal" e'er is found 
To send delight and pleasure round 
The hearth-stone glad. Oh ! may it e'er 
Wave pure as Truth's white banner dear, 

While thoughts shiHe there like star 

In the milky-way afar ! 



To Mrs. A. G. 

UNES ACCOMPANYINd A BASKET 01' FLOWEHS. 

Be thy heart e'er as light, 
And thy smiles softly bright, 
As are these sweet flowers 
From kind Nature's ricli bowers — • 
Is a prayer I would make 
For old friendship's dear sake. 
And may hope's buds as sweet, 
Ever lie at thy feet, 
'Long thy pathway through life, 
Mellowing sorrow and strife ! — 
When these short years are o'er, 
On the green^ sunny shore : 



TO MRS. A. C. 263 

Of that cool sparkling stream, 
Whose diamond-like gleam 
Is the reflection bright 
Of God's glorious light— 
Of that River of Life, 
Far from sorrow and strife, 
May'st thou bloom, a sweet flower, 
Not like earth's, of an hour, 
But a bright hmnortelle, 
Tliere e'er fadeless to dwell I 



To Mrs. T. E. 



A merry heart maketh a cheerful couuteuauce. 

Pbx)v. of Solomon, 



Lady fair, 
*Tis my prayer 
That each new budding hope, 
Wiiich e'er within thy heart may grow, 

Shall, quick expand and ope, 
Keal, beauteous flower to love and know, 
'Neath Fortune's warm and genial smile. 
Free from hypocrisy and guile. 
To gladden thee and thine the while. 



TO MKS. T. E. 265 

Until succeeded by 
Still others, all as rich and bright 

As stars in azure sky, 
Which gild the diadem of Night — 
Ne'er nipped by disappointment's frost, 
Ne'er by a storm of passion tossed, 
As oft an earthly flower is lost, 

When, chilled by Winter's breath, 
Or blown before the wild wind's rush, 

It meets a violent death — 
Too early loses bloom and blush! 

Lady fair, 
'Tis my prayer 
That thy face happy, bright, 
As if it always did reflect 

The sun's mild, genial light. 
May ever thus be sweetly decked 
With Joy's warm smiles so rich so gay, 
E'er gladdening with their golden ray 
l^liosc Avho with thee a moment stay! 



266 TO MKS. T. E. 

Thus may it ever be, 
Telling of thy heart's happiness, 

So cheerful, light, and free; 
Unchilled by wing of pale Distress ; 
Ne'er darkened by a cloud e'en small. 
Or great to hang like a funeral pall, 
Which might in gloom wrap pleasures all. 

But should Misfortune's frown 
Cast over thee her shadow drear, 

To earth be not cast down 
But e'er upheld by Faith's hand dear ! 



TO MISS C. W. 



My Artist-friend, hail, now! 

To thee my muse would bow 
In honor ; for, though still so young, 
Genius' flames in thy breast have sprung.- 

'Tis said Prometheus bold, 

When Jove mad did withhold 

Heaven's bright fire from man, 

By some ingenious plan 
Stole rays of light from the chariot strong 
Of Sol as swift it whirled along; 

And that these power possessed. 

When placed within the breast 



268 TO MISS c. w. 

Of statues Avliicli lie cut, 

To make them live and strut ! 
Such vital spark hath Genius placed 
Within thj bosom illumined, graced. 

Oh ! let its blaze die ne'er, 

But cherish it fore'er. 

As Vestal Virgins white 
Watched flames both day and night 
Upon the sacred altar which 
Burned for their goddess, bright and rich, 
Year after year the same, 
As past it went and came. 

Let it e'er glow and smile; — 
Oh ! smother not with pile 

Of velvets, satins, silks, heaped high ! 

Beware, lest it should flicker, die, 
In fashion's whirlwind blown, 
Tiiv soul in darkness thrown I 



THE STAR OF DESTINY. 



Bonaparte used to say this star made its appearance at the hour of his birth, and that 
by consulting it he could always tell when good fortune awaited him; for that, then, 
it glowed with unusual brightness ; but grew pallid and hueless when defeat or disaster 
was about to befull him. 

BOTTA. 

Near Italia's classic shore there lies a sunny isle — ■ 

Golden beauty-spot on Ocean's bosom fair! 
Glowing in its loveliness 'neath Heaven's radiant smile. 

But for man's sad fall angels might pause there ! 
Where the breath of blossoms of tropic trees and flowers, 
* To God as incense rises from Nature's vine-clad bowers ; 
And the joyous songs of birds of golden plumage bright, 

As anthems pour, till eve from early morn. 
Oh ! how the heart rejoices moved by the glorious sight ! 

'Twas here a child of fortune strange was born — 
In this tropic sunlit isle — a fairy ocean gem. 
The richest, brightest jewel in France's diadem ! 



2 70 THE STAR OF DESTINY. 

In a lone, secluded spot, 
Is a shaded, hidden grot, 
Which, from Nature's chisel sprung. 
Is with ivy curtains hung ; 
Whose rough walls strange shadows strow. 
Moving ghost-like to and fro. 
Spirits-like in play or dance, 
Sometimes seen by the eye in trance — 
Dim reflections from the mind 
Of a youth whom there we find, 
Wrapt in vision's mantle gray, 
Dreaming thus whole hours away! 
Rolls a canvas past his eyes, 
Gilt with scenes of various dyes. 

First he sees a chariot bring 
In great pomp a mighty king 
To a throne o'erlaid with gold. 
Guarded by his soldiers bold. 
But, hark ! now, what thundering sound. 
Like an earthquake shakes the ground? 



THE STAK OF DESTINY. 271 

Soon a multitude draws near, 

Crying loud with curse and jeer : 

"Vengeance! now, the king shall die! 

No longer will his subjects lie, 

Trod beneath his charger's heel. 

Crushed beneath the ponderous wheel 

Of his great triumphal car 

Rolling to and fro to mar, 

With its deep and bloody trace. 

Our dear country's once fair face ! 

Like the march of Juggernaut, 

All its way with death is fraught ! 

Royalty shall fall, the nest 

Whence brood woes that tear our breast ! " 

Next he sees a mighty crowd 
Gesturing wild, and threatening loud, 
Pressing round a trembling band 
Clasping each another's hand. 
Heaven reflected in the eye. 
Surely they fear not to die ! 



272 THE STAR OF DESTINY. 

Soon an instrument of death 

Draws their blood and stops their breath ! 

And a stream of royal blood, 

Dyes the ground with purple flood, 

In which Law's strong ark sinks down ! 

Anarchy assumes the crown. 

Midnight darkness drives off day. 

Sickened thus he turns away. 

Nothing bright save one lone star 

Gleaming in the distance far, 

Shining 'mid universal gloom, — 

Dark and dreary as a tomb — 

Like a sparkling jewel set. 

In enamel black as jet ! — 

Wonders why, when all is dark 

It alone should cast a spark. 

And unconscious where he goes, 

Still his eye he upward throws, 

Held enchanted by that light 

Frowned upon by gloomy Night! — 



THE STAK OF DESTINY, 273 

Strolls along through street and lane, 
'Till he sees no blood of slain — 
Reaches now a shady grove, 
Far from where Hell's demons strove! 
Here a fairy-form he spies. 
Can he trust his weary eyes ? 
Yes, a creature bright draws near, 
With a smile dispelling fear, 
While a wreath of snowflakes white 
On her brow throws out its light ; 
And a cloud of rainbow hues. 
Spangled o'er Avith diamond dews. 
Wraps her form in mystery's robe, 
As in hand she holds a globe. 
She approaching takes his hand. 
Addressing thus in manner bland : 

"Hail! Child of Fortune, hark to me; 
List to the words I tell, 
And thou shalt yet a monarch be, 
And in a palace dwell ! 

2i 



274 THE STAR OF DESTINY, 

"Dost see that light through yonder tree — 
Lone hope of brighter day ? 
It is thy star of destiny — 
Trust m its guiding ray. 

"Behold this globe turn 'neath my linger; 
Thus thou shalt move the earth I 
But farewell now, I eannot linger — 

Hear! France will bless thy birth 1" 

He awakes— 'tis but a dream, 
Yet distinct with dazzling gleam, — 
Sees those shadows come and go, 
Moving ghost-like to and fro — 
Like spirits in the play or dance. 
Sometimes seen by the eye in trance — _ 
Dim reflections from the mind 
Of this youth, who there doth find 
Study for another hour, 
Thinking of his future power. 



THE STAE OF DESTINY. 275 

Saying as he claps in glee, 
*'I shall yet a monarch be!" 

Oft he dreamed, and dreamed of fame — 
Of a great and glorious name — 
Of a throne of crowns built high, 
'JSTeath the canopy of sky, 
Curtained by the drooping cloud 
Of imperial purple proud I 
Thus he hoped and dreamed a child, 
Clinging to his fancies wild. 
When to man's estate he came, 
Still he hoped and dreamed the same. 

Long strange Fortune with her car, 
ThroLio'h the heavens drew his star. 
Now that guiding star was bright ; 
Then it almost sank in night! 
Oft its golden rays would shed, 
A halo-glory round his head, 



276 THE STAR OF DESTINY. 

And then throw a shadow foul 

Round his brow, black as a cowl ! 

Now in zenith of the skies, 

Its bright light would blind all eyes ; 

Then to the horizon near. 

There it trembled as with fear I 

When on Elba's shore he lay. 
Like a lion but held at bay, 
It a faithful sentinel 
Stood and watched its hero well. 
When to France again he went, 
Shone that star on him intent — 
Bright again in his success — - 
Pale again in his distress! 

When old Waterloo was fought. 
All the ground witli dying fraught. 
Cannons belching forth fire fell, — ■ 
Like the demons mad of Hell^ — 



THE STAR OF DESTINY. 277 

Wrapping troops in shrouds of smoke, 
From which thousands never broke, — , 
Flames and smoke wild running fast, 
Breathing death where'er they passed, 
Like Vesuvius in his rage, 
Heedless both of youth and age ; 
Hurling forth each red-hot wave. 
Sent all beneath his head to lave, 
Flapping each forked tongue of fire. 
As if thus 'twould spit its ire ; 
Lapping up all sap of life, 
In mad rush and war and strife ; — 
When old Waterloo was done. 
And from earth was hid the sun, 
And it seemed to be now night, 
Though no moon was there to light. 
With its soft and silver sheen. 
This terrible, and awful scene — ■ 
Battle-ground too dread to see. 
Where in blood and agony 



278 THE STAR OP DESTINY. 

Piles of human beings lay, 
Waning life, or gone away ; — 
Then that star almost went clown, 
'Neath wild Terror's fearful frown ! 
When to ocean's rock firm chained, 
While dark gloom around him reigned 
Watched close by the keen, fierce eye 
Of the British Lion e'er nigh ; 
At the mercy of his foes. 
He stood suffering cruel woes. 
Such as mortals seldom feel, — 
Pains ne'er made by piercing steel. 
Helpless as Andromeda, 
Who, the olden poets say. 
Fastened to the sea-beat wall, 
Filled the air with mercy's call, 
When the dragon's look so fierce, 
Like a dart her breast would pierce ; — 
When his wrestle with Death, long- 
As Jacob's with the ano;el strong, 



THE STAR OF DESTINY. 279 

Like an earthquake shook the wovhi. 
Then that trembling star was hurled 
Froua its station, and its light, 
Quenched in black and endless nia'ht] 



AN ODE TO 



ALFRED TENNYSON, Esq. 



The Romans old» 
The Romans bold. 

Long dead, 

TCis said 

To grace 

Would place. 

In state, 

Pomp great, 

A wreath — 

Beneath 
A gaily gilded, lofty arch. 
O'er his proud, grand triumphal march — 
Of laurel green upon the liead 
Of a loved victor, who had lead 



TO ALFRED TENNYSON. 281 

Tliem on to glory 
O'er war's fields gory. 
Poet Laureate, 
In pomp and state 
A giiitefal nation decks thy brow 
AVitli a bright crown of glory now! 

Old Ovid dead 
With pride once said 
That he had finished a work grand 
Which e'er would fire, sword, age withstand ! 
Indelible his name through time ; 
Nor e'en Jove's wrath mar it sublime ! — 

Thy In Memoriatn shall stand, 
A monument that Time's strong hand 
Shall not pull down while our great tongue 
Can still be heard the nations 'mong ! 
And many a turret, many a spire, 

That round about with beauty grace 

This noble, lofty shaft, their place 
Shall hold despite of sword and fire! 



Clje ^Btiml ^almagmtiii. 



PLUCK NOW THE FLOWER. 



To pudov ay.ij.d^ei ^av>w y.p6vov yjv 8k TzapiXOrj'-^ 
Z-qTU)v ^upijasiq ob poduv dkXa /5arwv, 



O MAN, do not procrastinate ; 
Pluck now the flower before too late. 
Do not neglect the chance, and say: 
"Not now, I'll come again this way;" — 
Perhaps no living, earthly power 
'Till then can keep that smiling flower; 
And when again thou dost go there 
Thou may'st not find that blossom fair. 



286 PLUCK NOW THE I'LOWEE. 

It may be withered, fallen, dead. 
And in the dust have sunk its head. 
Perchance thou 'It find another one, 
Passing that waj, the thing hath done 
Thou did'st neglect, in thy weak ear 
Procrastination whispering, "Here, 
Man, do not stop, 'tis useless now, — 
To-morrov/ cull that flower canst thou." 



A TRANSLATION FROM HORACE. 

ODE XXX. BOOK III. 
THE poet's FRESAGE OF AN IMMORTALITY OF FAME. 



I 'VE built a monument more lasting far than brass, 
Which doth the regal hight of pyramids surpass ; 
'Gainst which nor wasting rains, nor north-wind, can avail, 
Nor years, nor seasons' flight leave ruined in their trail. 
I shall not wholly die ; but a gi-eat part of me. 
From Libitina dark escaping, then shall flee. 
My name with future praise posterity shall blend, 
While priest and vestal maid the capitol ascend. 



288 TRANSLATION FROM HORACE. 

Where rapid Aufidus in violent flight doth roar — 
Where Dannus, poor supplied with water, ruleth o'er 
A rustic people, I, raised from a low degree, 
Shall be forever there acknowledged him to be. 
Who did the first of all arrange and make to meet 
The old iEolic verse, and the Italian feet. 
Melpomene, assume that pride for you meet seen. 
And willing crown my hair with Delphic laurel green. 



TO 



POLLIE ANN JELICA(KE). 



O, FAIE one, thou 

Of the angel brow, , 
By whom alone my heart is whirled, 
You 've the prettiest eye in all the world, 
And the sweetest lip that e'er was curled. 

Kinder heart never beat ; 

Not oft can one meet 

Disposition so sweet. 

As ever is thine. 

Fair creature, divine! 
No man with thee would fear earth's strife! 
Thy soul with sympathy so rife — 



290 TO POLLIE ANN JELICA(ke). 

Oh! say, bright star of mj whole life, 
Saj, wont you be, from this, my ! 



The remainder of this beautiful and exciting poem will 
be concluded in the great New Jerusalem Blunderbuss, 
published weekly, and to be found in all the literary depots 
in America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the other extensive 
hemispheres of the world, whose price is five cents per one 
copy, ten cents per two copies, and so on ad hifinitiun^ to 
the end of this sublunary globe. A more liberal discount 
still made to the wliolesale trade ! ! Don't forget ! Send 
one, send all! 



BIDDY AND PAT. 

THIS POEM IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED TO 

Biddy O'Connell 

And Pat O'Donnell 
Sat 'neatli an old elm on the bank of a brook. 
Quoth Pat to fair Biddy: "An' sure an' ye look 
Intirely as swate as yon rose in its nook, 
As cunningly noAV ye pape from that gray 
Hood ye have on, an' hood-ioink at the day. 
With sich chareful face, an' so bright, an' so gay." 
" Och ! murther ! mon, hush ! ye have towld me enough 
Ye might as well ram in me ears so much snufF. 
Your story is as your big hand as tough ! 



292 BIDDY AND PAT. 

An' sure, crazy loon! now, what if I do 

Look as swate as the rose ; an' what 's that to jou ? 

I swear be me soivl ye will niver be true!" 

"Oil! Bidcly, me darlin', I kinnot stand that; 
I love ye much more than this me owld hat. 
Indade, don't your heart bid ye pity Pat ? " 

"Och! yis, to be sure, swate, pilavering brat, 
I, be the howly beard of St. Pathrick, swear that 
Me heart oil the time repates pit-a-pat ! " 



''POSSUNT QUIA POSSE VIDENTUR." 

TIRQIL. 

"for they can conquer who believe they can." 

DBTDEN. 



O, Faith and Will are giants strong ; 
'Twas they who threw the Alps headlong, 
And made them level with the ground, 
As down they fell with crashing sound, 
That Hannibal with troops might rush 
On Italy, as torrents gush 
When, swollen by the April rain, 
They raging their bold course maintain, — 
In spite of all that may withstand 
O'erflowing all the fertile land. 



294 "POSSUNT QUIA POSSE VIDENTUR." 

'Twas Faith andjWill that guided o'er 
The Mayflower to the Western shore ; 
And then from barbarism wild 
Redeemed a continent, which smiled 
Quite soon with peace and plenty fraught, 
Beneath their wholesome sway thus brought; — 
And when 'twas necessary broke 
The galling, binding foreign yoke 
Which had been let thereon to fall, 
And press it like a massive wall. 

And Faith and Will the chasm deep 
'Tween Earth and Heaven, where there e'er sweep 
Black waters raging wild, have bridged 
So that tired pilgrims, privileged. 
May pass from this dark, mournful clime 
Up to that golden land sublime ! 

Since Faith and Will can do so much. 
Oh ! try to know them — genii sucli. 



A LOVE-MESS-AGE. 



RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED TO 
MISS MERCY ELIZABETH SAMUELINA SNAGAVALLADER. 

Esau lias been pronounced a fool 
Bj all the wise and sapient scliool 
Of great philosophers, smart men, 
Who think it is past mortal ken, 
That for a single mess he'd give 
All that for which most men do live. 
Should I be thought a fool the less, 
Who 'd give my all for a single M. E. S. 8 ! 



''<I)EAE9u TUN KTEANiiN." 

"take care of thy possessions." 

Ejngram Vet. 

List, spendthrift, to the precept taught, 
Ere- in poverty's tight net caught ; 
Whence thou mayst never make escape 
In any form, disguise, or shape ; 
Foi prodigality is sure 
A very hard disease to cure, — 
A rapid stream running so fast 
That it is hard to check at last; 
And in thy nature flowing deep 
It rushes on with awful sweep. 



''0idew Tcbv A'rsavdjy." 297 

The maxim doth not mean to say, 
That thou shouldst hoard thy goods away, 
As e'en the raiser his doth hold, 
Making of all a seat of gold, 
So that he can 'neatli him at once 
Keep all his " filthy lucre," — dunce ! — 
Fearing that it miglit melt and go 
Quicker than ever it did flow 
In golden streams his coffers to ; — 
It does not bid thee thus to do; 
But husband well what thou dost gain, 
Lest thy possessions be a bane; 
Use for thyself what thou shouldst need, 
Neglecting not the kind, good deed, 

26 



AN EXAMPLE OF ALLITERATION, 



CONVEYING A MORAL, 



Simpletons sometimes show srnse, smart speeches say: 
Think to-morrow they'd talk thus, though thus to-day ? 
Gabblmg geese garrulous gained great, glorious gratitude, 
Renown, rousing regardless Rome reposing, rude 
Barbarian hands being but beheld before 
They through those thousand thoroughfares, thronging tore I 
Thence twenty times these tlioughtless things threw terror 

thus, 
May be, 'mong mighty men, meaninglessly making muss ! 



A COLLEGE SONG. 

Air — " Sparkling and bright,'" 

Diamond and bright, as the stars of night, 
Is our joy and glee now glowing, 

And the gay smile, so free from all guile, 
Its radiance brightly flowing. 

CHORUS. 
Then sing how grand, ye merry band, 

LiNONiA in her glory, 
Whose walls so high, arched by the sky, 

Excel all ancient story ! 



300 A COLLEGE SONG. 

A few more years, with their joys and cares, 
We'll rest 'neath Yale's elms spreading ; 

Then world's broad stage our acts will engage. 
As the sands of time we're treading. 

CHORUS. 
Then thy deeds grand, ye victor band, 

Write now on Fame's tall pillar ; 
While these walls high, arched by the sky, 

Defy time's angry billow ! 

And should drear clouds overhang like shrouds, 

And our craft be sadly reeling, 
We'll safe be then, for our guiding star 

Will glow, our path revealing. 

CHOEUS. 

Then sing how grand, ye noble band. 
The stage our thought engages. 

Whose walls so strong will stand as long, 
As time's firm rock of ages ! 



A COLLEGE SONG. 301 

Through battles strong, we will fight along, 

Above our bright star flashing ; 
And coats of mail, the memory of Yale, 

As we are forward dashing. 

CHORUS. 
Then bravely sing, ye gallant ring. 

Of armies once before us; 
When our walls high did all defy, 

As Victory hovered o'er us ! 

Yale College, 1855. 



AN ALBUMIC, 



TO MY BIG BROTHER S LITTLE SWEETHEART. 



Vanity of vanities — all is vanity. 

EcCLits. I. 

Flatterie is unwholesome foode for younge ladyes. 

Ot.d Enolisii Autiiok. 



An album is — don't box my phiz — 
A cunning flatteiy-trap well set, 

Fine compliments from gallant gents, 
And "sweet, nice things" to get! 

I mean to say that that 's the Avay 
The thing in general is — but oh! 

Thou wouldst not act with such mean tact — 
No, never condescend so low. 



AN A LB U MIC. 303 

And men too oft will pen Avords soft — • 
Write love not felt, O sliame ! — bat then 

Thou know'st that I would rather die 
Tha,n ^fiat^er thee — t/ie truth I pen J 

Your quick, keen eye, like a star on high 

Illumines with its rays my soul I 
That mirror bright with Heaven's own light 

Reflects your thoughts as on they roll! 

Expressive nose! — indeed it throws 

The Roman, Carthaginian, Greek, 
All in the shade, nor e'en art's aid 

A nose can give, that thus can speak ! 

That mouth of thine! O, how divine! 

It is a perfect Cupid's bow ; 
Indeed if he could but thine see, 

I know his own away he'd throw! 



304 AN ALBUMIC. 

Those teeth, O my I — in earth or sky, 
To what can I those teeth compare? 

To pearls, snow-flakes ? — indeed it takes 
To match them something else more rare I 

Thy sunny smile, so free from guile. 
An angel would not blusli to wear! 

Within its light, from morn till night, 
Pain, woe, and torment I could bear! 

Those tresses now fall on thy brow. 
Like moonbeams on a marble bust! 

Their light o'erspread forms round thy head 
A halo-glory, rich, august ! 

And then that voice, O, I rejoice 
To hear it ring like silver bells I 

The syren, no! nor swan of snow 
Could dying match its magic swells! 



AN ALBUMIC. 



And now, fair one, before I 'm done, 
I do not mean to flatter thee, 

No rival thou cast have I vow ; 
E'en angels can but equal bo ! 



305 



OLD CANNIBAL VI 



" VI et armis." 



The world has had equals to bold Hannibal, 
But where, when a match for the great cannibal 
Old Virgil speaks of when, bona fide^ he'd say, 
Vi eat armies? — Vi eat armies! — indeed! nay, 
Can it be possible ? — can such thing be true ? 
But then we must believe, for it never would do- 
'Twould show a sad want of prudence, sagacity - 
To question, the least, old Virgil's veracity. 
But Yi's great voracity, oh ! who can doubt, 
As he swallowing armies thus put them in rout,- 



OLD CANNIBAL VI. 307 

En route for a singular, strange destiny, 

Which, doubtless, these legions did never foresee. 

Nine cheeries^ three tigers, ten men for old Vi ; 

And an elephant too, for all earth we defj 

King Vi to owi-ine in the great causa helly ! 

Ij'or he was a glutton colossal, I tell ye. 

E'en Old Polyphemus the giant Cyclops, 

Who in his tremendous and mastodon chops, 

Which v/orked up and down like the parts of a trunk, 

And at each clap a man of Ulysses' sunk, — 

Where boys studying German could begin to do learning — 

©c^Iur i»el(^' ic^ crac^te nii^t f(^(ed)t beutfc^ ^iu ternen— 

Where with ease they could catch the deep guti\r:?\ sound— 

K^Tere, in this resounding, deep school most profound — • 

*Such school as that wherein old Jonah was taught 

The most memorable lesson tliat ever was bought 

With the " wages of sin," though indeed it was cheap, 

Paying naught to his Sd«-lord the king of the deep, 

For being hoarded thus in his craft and so taheii in, 

While opening deceitful mouth with a broad grin ! — 



308 ' OLD CANNIBAL VI. 

Yes, e'en Polyphemus, the giant Cyclops, 

Who, in his tremendous and mastodon chops, 

Chopped up these poor men into tine sausage-meat, 

Holding this motto, "it is meat I should eat," 

And not being particular as to the kind. 

Flesh and blood swallowing where'er he could find — 

Why he wasn't a mite to our mighty king Vi, 

Who ne'er went to buy, stealing those who loejit by. 

What vis-co\x\\i, now, could with our Vi count such kind 

Of deeds done in the body, although, never mind 



VALEDICTION. 

Gentle reader and friend, 

This volume must end ; 
My thoughts all poetical having rtin down, 

To wind up it's time, 

And thus close mj rhyme. — 
You'll doubtless agree without murmur or frown I- 

Hold on ! — one request, 

While ^put on my best. 
And 'tis that this volume you never will lend 
Unto an acquaintance, or even a friend. 



310 VALEDICTION. 

While a copy's unbouglit ; — - 

Felicitous thought ! — 
But send to the store each to buy tor one's -self, 
Lest long my poor brains may be laid on the shelf! 
For I this proposition self-evident hold, 
That I, or my book, one must surely be sold. 
Well then let me now be consoled for my toil — 
Paid for my mind's engine — its midnight-traiji-oil I 












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